FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting has been supporting Canadian
content and making news for many years now. An archive of articles
about our organization can be found below.
CBC reacts to media coverage of internal study that recommends image changes for CBC News.
New Zealand is a revealing example of the impact on diversity in the broadcasting system when public service television is replaced by a market-driven funding model.
CBC employees across the country (with the exception of the province of Quebec and the city of Moncton, NB) have chosen the Canadian Media Guild as their sole bargaining agent.
Due to his actions while Finance Minister, the domestic film and television industry believes Paul Martin can reverse the damage caused by the previous government's withdrawal of support and the rising Canadian dollar.
Protests from bodies such as the Canadian Jewish Congress are unlikely to stop the CRTC from licensing the Arab station Al-Jazeera.
The government's lukewarm official response to the Lincoln report has left many in the industry fearful the two-year, 872-page study will end up a victim of bad political timing.
Changes to CTF are something FRIENDS has been recommending for years.
FRIENDS applauds the creation of incentives for broadcasters to build audience as a condition of continued CTF funding.
FRIENDS praises CTF changes that focus on the ultimate ratings success of funded productions.
CTF overhaul will begin in the 2004-2005 fiscal year and focus on drama programming.
The Canadian Television Fund has decided to make popularity its priority in funding decisions, forcing broadcasters to focus on audience-building.
FRIENDS says Canadian Television Fund changes provide an incentive for broadcasters to build audiences.
FRIENDS observes that Sheila Copps' eight years as Heritage Minister have been disappointing for Canada's cultural industries, in part because she lacked support in the federal Cabinet.
FRIENDS observes that firm hired to improve CBC's public image appears to be doing its job.
FRIENDS says the fate of the Heritage Committee's recommendations on Canadian broadcasting lies not with the current Minister, but with her successor.
FRIENDS expects that Sheila Copps' response to the House of Commons Heritage Committee report will have limited impact given the pending change of government.
Response of the Government of Canada to the report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, "Our Cultural Sovereignty".
VisionTV and its sister station One: the Body, Mind & Spirit channel are lending their support to the “Tell Canadian Stories” campaign launched in September by Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
Despite being one of Canada's most successful and honoured men, Izzy Asper never got rid of the chip on his shoulder.
Daryl Duke received a lifetime achievement award last weekend from the Directors Guild of Canada. He is a longstanding member of the Steering Committee of Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
CPAC's Ken Rockburn interviews Ian Morrison on the origins and objectives of the Tell Canadian Stories campaign.
CRTC calls for comments on ways to improve quantity of Canadian TV drama on Canadian television.
FRIENDS cites 1999 CRTC television policy decision as key reason for decline in Canadian drama.
Fact that CBC kept mum on $10m funding cut suggests management is focused on the bigger picture of how the public broadcaster will be treated under a Paul Martin government.
CRTC calls for comments on ways to improve quantity of Canadian TV drama on Canadian television. FRIENDS plans to make submissions.
FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting's television campaign urges more Canadian drama on prime-time TV.
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting begins national television campaign urging more Canadian drama on prime-time TV.
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting begins national television campaign urging more Canadian drama on prime-time TV.
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting begins national television campaign urging more Canadian drama on prime-time TV.
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting begins national television campaign urging more Canadian drama on prime-time TV.
Friends television campaign intends to raise the public's "share of mind" on the issue of Canadian programming on television.
Paul Martin's imminent appointment as Liberal Leader will result in a Prime Minister who is not a party leader, and a party leader who is not Prime Minister.
FRIENDS urges Heritage Minister Sheila Copps to make sure a consultation process on the Canadian Television Fund open to the public, not just industry players.
Coverage of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage's recommendations on Canadian broadcasting has been sparse.
The Senate Transport and Communications Committee's study of Canadian media is one of the most ambitious of its kind. FRIENDS sees a "potential virtuous link" between the Senate study and the Heritage Committee's recent report on the Canadian broadcasting system.
Heritage Minister Sheila Copps states that she would not increase base funding to the CBC if elected Prime Minister.
Canadian cable companies apply to import top U.S. channels to boost digital revenues and combat satellite TV piracy. FRIENDS notes access to U.S. channels is already strong, but does not oppose the application.
A report commissioned by the Heritage Department that proposes even tighter rules for TV and film production in Canada. FRIENDS praises the principles underlying the report.
Canada's major cable companies are applying for direct access to import and carry 17 U.S. channels. FRIENDS says access to U.S. TV is already strong.
Canada's major cable companies are applying for direct access to import and carry 17 U.S. channels. FRIENDS says access to U.S. TV is already strong.
In a report commissioned by the heritage department, François Macerola says Canadian-content rules in film and television need a dramatic overhaul and should be centralized under one federal organization. FRIENDS notes Canadian content is a complex subject that defies simple solutions.
The Macerola report recommends that the federal government's formula for defining Canadian content in film and television be overhauled. FRIENDS applauds the report's principles and tone.
In a report commissioned by the heritage department, François Macerola says Canadian-content rules in film and television need a dramatic overhaul and should be centralized under one federal organization. FRIENDS notes Canadian content is a complex subject that defies simple solutions.
Media moguls are disappointed with Heritage Committee's recommendations for Canadian Broadcasting
A study by the House of Commons heritage committee has made significant recommendations on foreign ownership limits, media convergence, CBC accountability, and funding for CBC, the Canadian Television Fund, and local and regional programming. The government says it's in no hurry to respond.
The House of Commons heritage committee says a moratorium is needed on broadcast licences for media companies seeking to own both television networks and newspapers.
The House of Commons heritage committee has come to very different conclusions than the industry committee did a few weeks ago. FRIENDS calls the heritage committee's report "groundbreaking".
Canada's major television networks are increasing the fees they charge advertisers to place spots on their prime shows.
National Post condemns Anna Maria Tremonti.
Leslie Vryenhoek's essay is one of three winning entries in the 2003 Dalton Camp Award announced today by Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
Three new Canadian series and four U.S. imports will be added to the fall prime-time lineup of CTV which boasts that 2003-2004 will be its "most ambitious homegrown bundle ever."
FRIENDS says the relaxation of rules governing ownership of U.S. broadcasters and newspapers simply makes the U.S. market more like Canada.
Private broadcasters' claims of flat revenues and declining profits rings false. According to data released by FRIENDS, private networks are increasing their purchases of foreign at the expense of Canadian programming.
English drama in Canada is in decline. The Canadian appetite for American shows has reached an all-time high.
News programming gives us facts, but drama conveys experience.
A report by former CBC and CTV executive Trina McQueen recommends the federal government spend $30 million a year for five years to build audiences for Canadian drama.
Incentives recommended by a new report on Canadian drama would reward the efforts of writers and writer-producers to build audiences for their programs.
Despite a new report recommending the investment of millions in Canadian Drama, Finance Minister John Manley is holding firm on the decision to cut $25 million from the Canadian Television Fund.
A new report calls on the prime minister and the Minister of Canadian Heritage to publicly endorse the importance of Canadian drama.
Trina McQueen's report calls for more investment in Canadian drama, but critics note it doesn't call for new demands on broadcasters.
A much-anticipated report says the federal government should significantly increase its investment in Canadian drama.
Vertically-integrated Alliance Atlantis is progressively winding down Canadian production business it has received substantial public funds to build.
Sports channels Sportsnet and the Score want CRTC to approve monthly cable fee increases borne by subscribers. Friends opposes the increases.
Dalton Camp’s insight and principles will be missed in Canadian journalism. In his memory, Friends has launched $5000 prize for essay on link between journalism and healthy democracy.
Friends fears uncertain federal budget will force $30 million in budget cuts at CBC, leading to layoffs and a decrease in regional programming.
Friends worries federal budget uncertainty will force cost-cutting at CBC. CBC claims extra federal funding has been confirmed.
Media moguls Robert Lantos and Izzy Asper trade allegations of lying, fraud and disloyalty to Canada in lawsuit stemming from Lantos’ allegedly libelous 1998 speech.
Cable companies asked Commons industry committee to give them same foreign ownership restrictions as telecommunications companies to increase innovation, growth, fair competition. Friends opposes the request.
Cable companies asked Commons industry committee to give them same foreign ownership restrictions as telecommunications companies to increase innovation, growth, fair competition. Friends opposes the request.
Despite uncertainty over federal budget, CBC plans several major productions, while Canadian TV, film producers lament CTF funding cuts. Friends urges CBC to reinvest in regional programming.
Friends speculates leadership politics are involved in 25% cut to the CTF that worries Canadian actors and producers.
Friends speculates leadership politics are involved in 25% cut to the CTF that worries Canadian actors and producers.
The creation of Our Public Airwaves reflects increasing tension between CBC’s two largest English-language unions
At McGill Institute for the Study of Canada conference, CBC president Robert Rabinovitch criticized private broadcasters for dumping American shows onto Canadian stations
