« CBC is “on a fool’s errand” – Wade Rowland | Main | POLLARA public opinion survey shows high support for CBC »
Protect our national treasure
By admin1 | May 19, 2009
Protect our national treasure
Published: May 16, 2009 12:00 PM
I was horrified to learn recently that the CBC, our national voice expressing both unity and multiplicity, is having to cut some $85 million. I think the amount is resulting in a reduction in staff of 800 excellent people, and total elimination of some major programs. Of course, the current recession is given as the reason.
However, the federal government is considering bailouts for private companies, possibly in order to gather support for the Conservative Party.
All this comes only seven months after some major cuts and changes to programming took place in 2008, despite the outcry of millions of loyal listeners. Two of these least popular cuts were the elimination of the CBC Radio Orchestra and 70 per cent of the classical music programming on CBC Radio 2.
Perhaps Mr. Harper sees the CBC as “arts and culture,” which he has previously declared to be unimportant.
He seems to have no recognition of the huge value the CBC does in helping to keep our far-flung nation connected and united.
He also ignored a unanimous House of Commons committee recommendation that “in the interests of fuller accountability and arm’s length from government, nominations to the CBC board should be made by a number of sources, and the CBC president should be hired by and be responsible to the board (Lincoln Report page 567).”
Instead, Harper appointed a president without any previous experience managing a company and also lacking broadcasting management experience.
His only previous experience on a broadcasting board of directors was at Telemedia, during a period when that company was intent on selling off its broadcasting assets. He also supported the plan to combine CBC’s English radio and television operations under the direction of someone also lacking previous experience in radio and television production, marketing and scheduling. During that individual’s tenure, CBC TV has lost the Olympic Games, the Grey Cup and Seasons of Champions’ Curling.
The decision to eliminate 70 per cent of classical music programming was made despite the thousands of dedicated seniors, in particular, who represent a powerful segment of the population that businesses are keen to target. Even visitors from the U.S. who come here to ski each winter have complained to me about this decision.
Now the bulk of classical music is played between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when both they and local seniors are on the ski slopes, or downtown shopping during the warmest part of the day.
And now another huge blow to our national treasure. I am very angry about this, as well as many other people, judging from the e-mails, petitions and other methods of complaint I have seen and heard demonstrate.
When I wrote to our former Conservative MP, Darrel Stinson, protesting some actions taken regarding a CRTC ruling under a Liberal government with Paul Martin at the helm in 2005, I received two letters back from him. I quote two passages from these letters:
“The Conservative Party will establish clear, national policy directions and a framework that will maximize the freedom of choice for Canadians, while respecting Canadian content…We will ensure that broadcasting policy in Canada is relevant to the communications environment of the future and responsive to the demands of Canadians.”
“We believe in Canada’s creative community and we are proud of the creativity, initiative and foresight that has enabled the growing market in the international world. We believe Canadian creators should be able to reach an expanded international audience to tell our stories.”
Famous last words.
Robyn Thornton
Topics: Press about CBC | No Comments »
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.