Cable community channels have to listen to us, CRTC rules

NEWS RELEASE

CANADIAN RADIO-TELEVISION TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

**************************** CRTC changes community television policy to enhance local participation

OTTAWA-GATINEAU - (August 26) - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today issued a new policy that will give Canadians more opportunities to participate in their community television channels.

The CRTC’s policy will also ensure that these channels better reflect the realities and interests of local citizens.

“Community channels give Canadians the unique ability to see themselves and their neighbourhoods, towns and cities reflected on television,” said Michel Arpin, the CRTC’s vice-chairman of broadcasting. “This can only be achieved through equal partnerships between cable companies and the communities they serve. Access to the broadcasting system must be as open as possible, especially for people who are new to the production of television programming.”

Under the new policy, the CRTC will require that community members must be involved in the creation of at least half of a community channel’s programming. This means that the original idea for a program must come from members of the community, who must also be involved in some aspect of the production, whether in front or behind the camera.

Additionally, at least half of a channel’s programming expenditures will have to be devoted to this type of programming, as well as to community outreach initiatives and the training and development of volunteers.

Given the significant changes to the policy, the CRTC has determined that the new requirements will take effect on September 1, 2014.

The CRTC has also introduced measures to improve the accountability and transparency of the funds cable companies allocate to the operation of their community television channels.

Cable companies will have to provide this information on a yearly basis starting in 2012.

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