OTTAWA — With a federal election anticipated soon, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting today launched a new campaign to promote Canadian culture and media, drawing on the support of several Canadian performers to amplify the organization’s message.
The new “I Am Canadian Content” campaign is designed to mobilize thousands of voters who care about Canadian content and will target 15 “swing ridings” across Canada, says Friends’ press release. Update: The organization declined to name the ridings when we contacted them.
“This truly is a milestone election for Canadian culture and media,” said Daniel Bernhard, executive director for Friends, in the release. “We have an opportunity to return CBC to its public purpose, and rein in the overwhelming, democracy-threatening power of American media companies. Our activism can make Facebook, Google, and Netflix play by Canada’s rules and contribute to Canadian news and storytelling. Politicians take note: inaction on these crucial matters of culture and sovereignty will cost you votes in priority ridings.”
The prominent Canadian cultural figures who are lending their images and voices to the campaign include Adrienne Clarkson, Jann Arden (above), Buffy Sainte-Marie, Colin Mochrie, Andrew Phung and Fred Penner.
The “I Am Canadian Content” campaign focuses on four key issues:
- A truly public CBC/Radio-Canada
- Telling our own stories
- Strong and credible journalism
- Canadian values in Canadian media
For more on the campaign, please visit iamcancon.ca.
