OTTAWA and VICTORIAVILLE, Que. — As Bill C-10 wends its way through the legislative process, CACTUS (the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations), the Fédération des télévisions communautaires autonomes du Québec and the Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) issued a joint statement today asking for greater recognition of community media as a vital broadcasting sector within the context of the federal government’s proposed overhaul of the Broadcasting Act.
“Community media is the third pillar of Canadian broadcasting, alongside private and public broadcasting, yet there is no description of its role in the new Act that’s been tabled,” said Cathy Edwards, executive director of CACTUS, in the press release.
CACTUS has applied to appear before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage to discuss Bill C-10, along with the Fédération and CRFC. However, to date, no representatives from the community media sector of the broadcasting system have appeared before the Committee. The committee’s next meeting is this Friday.
The three organizations want the new legislation to include a clear definition of community media as “not-for-profit, community-owned and open to participation by members of the general public,” as well as greater specificity regarding its role and complementarity with respect to the public and private sectors, says the press release.
“This definition is vital in an era of technological change,” said Amélie Hinse, executive director of the Fédération des télévisions communautaires autonomes du Québec, noting that most cable community TV production studios have been shuttered and cable subscriptions have plummeted to a nationwide average of just over 30%, according to the press release.
“As commercial broadcasters trim staff and close stations, and the CBC moves to a regional rather than local focus, it is critical that community broadcasting have a place at the table,” said Alex Freedman, executive director of the Community Radio Fund of Canada. “Our mandate includes enabling the voices of Indigenous, francophone, disabled and racialized communities. If inclusivity is one of the goals of updating to the Act, the community sector must be strengthened.”
“Given the resources, community broadcasting really proved itself this past year,” added CACTUS’ Edwards.
She pointed to Canadian Heritage’s Local Journalism Initiative, which places journalists in underserved communities, as being the first federal program ever to support not-for-profit community-owned TV, which provided a much-needed boost for community radio as well.
“Community broadcasters produced thousands of important local stories that would otherwise not have been told,” said Edwards. “They played a central role in providing information about Covid to rural and remote communities in English, French, Cree, Dene and Ojibway.”
“Canada needs community media, and a new Canadian Broadcasting Act must recognize and support them,” added Hinse.
To see community TV and radio produced with funding from the Local Journalism Initiative, please visit ComMediaPortal.ca and Canada-Info.ca.
