FRIENDS research shows private broadcasters' spending on foreign programming has now exceeded spending on Canadian programming, in inflation-adjusted dollars; in drama programming, the gap between foreign and Canadian expenditures continues to widen.
In an extraordinary development, CBC president tells media scrum about plans for CBC local/regional programming after refusing to tell parliamentary committee about them.
Text of e-mail response from Conservative Party MPs to FRIENDS supporters who recently e-mailed the Prime Minister, copying their MP to advocate reform in CBC appointments.
Table showing federal political contributions by members of the CBC Board of Directors.
Compilation of comments from former Parliamentary Committees, Commissions and Prime Minister Paul Martin, showing that all agree patronage should be removed from the CBC appointments process.
Compilation of documents issued by FRIENDS during the 2004 federal election campaign.
FRIENDS summarizes its activities during the 2004 federal election and identifies threats and opportunities arising from the election of a minority government.
Three letters to Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party requesting clarification of the Conservative position on important broadcasting and cultural policy questions have gone unanswered.
Selection of statements by Conservative candidates in response to inquiries from FRIENDS supporters about the Conservative Party position on CBC.
Liberal Party and Bloc Quebecois respond to request for disclosure of party policies on culture and broadcasting.
Pre-election polling commissioned by FRIENDS shows strong voter support for Canadian culture, Canadian content, and an independent and well-funded CBC. Voters also strongly support maintaining domestic control of Canadian communications/broadcasting companies and limiting media concentration. Includes links to opinion poll results, press releases, media coverage, and other documents.
The 2004 federal budget restores funding cut from the Canadian Television Fund in last year's budget.
A collection of FRIENDS' statements, news articles and links on the topic of foreign ownership of media and communications companies.
Memo from Ian Morrison to Friends of Canadian Broadcasting Steering Committee members on the implications for viewers and listeners of the choice CBC employees are now making between CBC's two unions.
Despite promise of $60 million in extra federal funds, CBC will have to make cuts
Analysis of CAB’s internal politics, policy agenda and erroneous impressions created by submission to Commons committee
Canada Now newscasts attract smaller audiences - as do shortened regional newscasts
Data concerning CanWest’s record on simulcasting, broadcasting little Canadian content, and spending subsidies on foreign programming
Protesting Northern Ontario local news cuts, Friends places bus shelter ad near Parliament Hill saying BELL + CTV = Less Local Television
Measures changes in broadcaster investment in Canadian programming, share of viewing, correlation of audiences to program quality
