OTTAWA – The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) is urging the government to protect independent producers from what it calls “the negative impact (of) consolidation” in the broadcasting industry.
Appearing Tuesday before the House of Commons Standing Committee of Canadian Heritage, the CMPA claimed that the three integrated private broadcast corporate groups in English Canada are “using their dominant position to secure unreasonable terms that undermine independent producers’ businesses and put at risk the thousands of high-skilled jobs”.
“I would like to think that independent producers are well positioned to make a significant contribution to Canada’s burgeoning digital economy”, said CMPA president and CEO Norm Bolen. “But lately, to be brutally honest with you, I’m beginning to wonder if this is at all true. The imbalance that now exists in the system between broadcasters and independent producers undermines content innovation and programming diversity -something government must recognize and address without delay.”
The CMPA asked the Committee to recommend that Heritage Minister James Moore issue a policy directive to the CRTC requiring it to ensure that broadcasters reach “an equitable arrangement with the independent production sector regarding the ownership and exploitation of program rights”.
The association also asked MPs to back the renewal of the government’s contribution to the Canada Media Fund on an on-going basis, and to endorse the proposal that all distribution platforms, including those that are currently not regulated, be required to make a financial contribution to support the creation of Canadian content.
“With these key building blocks in place, I am confident that Canadian independent producers will be much better positioned to be able to contribute meaningfully to both our growing digital economy and our cultural future,” Bolen added.
