CRTC Chair Proposes Lighter Regulation for Canadian Radio and TV Sector

In a recent speech to broadcasters, Konrad von Finckenstein, the newly-appointed Chair of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), suggested that in the future the CRTC will pursue "a lighter approach" to regulating Canadian radio and TV industries, so long as they provide support for Canadian programming. In the wake of the CRTC's recent decision to deregulate local phone service, von Finckenstein told the audience that the CRTC is reassessing its TV and radio policies to allow market forces to play a greater role in Canadian broadcasting. The CRTC has commissioned two communications lawyers, Laurence Dunbar and Christian Leduc, to conduct the review, which is expected to be completed over the next four months. However, the Chair also stated that any changes to CRTC policies must fit within the Broadcasting Act which requires that broadcasters provide support for Canadian programming and access to the broadcasting system for all Canadians. Radio and TV broadcasters have argued for less regulation in order to effectively compete with new technologies. For example, some radio broadcasters have asked the CRTC to reduce Canadian content requirements so they can compete with mp3 players and Internet radio. Meanwhile, TV broadcasters such as CTVglobemedia would like to see relaxed rules that would allow a further element of consolidation in the TV industry. Some believe that the CRTC seeks to reshape the industry through negotiation with broadcasters to achieve continued broadcaster support for Canadian programming in exchange for more relaxed ownership restrictions. For a news article, see: http://tinyurl.com/2ly8ld Summary by: Andrei Edwards