TORONTO – CTV has, predictably, refuted the allegations made by Rogers and other BDUs regarding its ‘Save Local TV’ public advocacy campaign.
In a statement sent late on Friday afternoon, the network said it has remained in “full compliance” with both the Broadcasting Act and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Code of Ethics, and called the complaint by the BDUs an “underhanded move by cable and satellite companies” and “an abuse of process designed to suppress freedom of speech and mislead the public”.
"The fact that the first we’re hearing about this is through a Rogers’ press release and still have not received the complaint, speaks volumes to the motive behind these actions," said Paul Sparkes, CTVgm’s executive vice president, in the statement. (Ed note: CTVglobemedia CEO Ivan Fecan was copied on the complaint, as were the CRTC Commissioners. It was addressed to chairman Konrad von Finckenstein).
Sparkes also said that the CTV campaign is similar to a recent campaign which saw the cable, satellite and broadcasting industries partner against signal theft.
The Coalition Against Satellite Signal Theft was an educational and lobby group put together a few years ago by the (now defunct) Canadian Cable Television Association, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, Bell ExpressVu (now Bell TV), Star Choice (now Shaw Direct), filmmakers, producers, writers and others to fight – at the time – the rampant theft of DirecTV signals.
"CTV has initiated the ‘Save Local’ campaign to foster an ongoing discussion with our viewers – those most at risk of losing local television,” Sparkes continued. “So far, we’ve been overwhelmed with the response. The fact is, viewers are willing to stand up to cable and satellite companies who continue to reap in profits at the viewer’s expense."
The statement also extended an invitation to representatives from Rogers, Bell, Telus, Cogeco, Eastlink and the CCSA to participate in CTV’s nationwide events held Saturday.
