FRIENDS is calling on parliamentarians to adopt measures to strengthen C-18, The Online News Act. “Canadians have a right to know how online platforms are compensating news outlets,” said FRIENDS’ executive director, Marla Boltman. “If we want to eliminate concerns about the potential influence of online platforms over the journalistic and editorial independence of our news outlets, we need … Read more
Raymonde Lavoie, chair of the Board of Directors of FRIENDS (Friends of Canadian Broadcasting), issued a statement: “FRIENDS is pleased to see the government both recommit to standing up for Canadian stories and ensuring that Big Tech contribute their fair share, by updating the Broadcasting Act,” she said. “We will continue to work with Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo … Read more
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting’s Executive Director Daniel Bernhard made a statement on the adoption of Bill C-10: “The Bill was touted for supposedly empowering the CRTC to govern digital broadcasting, but it actually restricts the CRTC’s power over digital broadcasting,” he said. “C-10, although flawed, allowed us to take a step in the right direction … Read more
The findings of a new survey released on April 6, conducted by Nanos Research for FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting include: Seven-in-ten Canadians support (26 per cent) or somewhat support (41 per cent) the Government of Canada sending financial aid to failing news providers to keep them from closing down. The survey also found that more than … Read more
Conservative leadership candidate Erin O’Toole (Durham, Ont.) is playing a dangerous game by promising to privatize CBC English TV and digital services, according to Friends of Canadian Broadcasting. “This proposal may appeal to the small group of die-hard CBC-haters that will elect the next Conservative leader,” said Friends’ executive Director, Daniel Bernhard. “But public opinion research regularly shows that … Read more
The Broadcasting and Telecom Review Panel report is a viable road map Ottawa should move quickly to implement, according to the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting. “The Panel has confirmed the CRTC has the jurisdiction it needs to require the global online media giants to follow our rules for contributing to the creation of Canadian content,” said Friends … Read more
FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting, a watchdog group for Canadian journalism and storytelling, is calling upon the RCMP to immediately open an investigation to determine whether Facebook and YouTube committed a criminal offence by broadcasting the Christchurch massacre in Canada. “Facebook and YouTube, as well as other social media platforms, broadcast a suspected hate crime without … Read more
La Presse has declared that its business model is no longer viable after 134 years of sustained operations. The decision to restructure as a non-profit corporation dependent on government grants and charitable donations raises the stakes in Canada’s media crisis. “La Presse has been surviving while producing quality journalism, most recently as an online only publication. If La … Read more
After two years of study and consultation, Heritage and Official Languages Minister Mélanie Joly (Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Que.) has come up with only a few modest steps to boost Canadian content, according to FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting. “The Minister has left unaddressed the local media crisis and the urgent problem of how to staunch the flow of Canadian … Read more
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting proposed a four-point plan to revitalize local television news in Canada during an appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage which is studying the issue. “Television is the most important source of local news in Canada. And local TV news is also very popular with Canadians who … Read more
