Let’s Tell Our Own StoriesSep 17, 2003 Ad Campaign LaunchedFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Let’s Tell Our Own Stories Ad Campaign Launched TORONTO, September 17, 2003 – A new national television advertising campaign underscoring the importance of telling stories about Canada on TV was unveiled at a news conference today by the broadcast watchdog group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting. "We hope to bring into focus the fact that we’ve effectively lost control of our own airwaves. As Canadians, we rarely see ourselves reflected by the programs available on Canadian television, especially during prime time," said Friends’ spokesperson, Ian Morrison. Friends has produced four 30-second spots which will be broadcast as public service announcements. To date, CBC, CTV and CHUM have agreed to air the spots.  Cineplex Odeon will present a longer version of one of the spots throughout its chain of theatres in Canada. The humourous spots feature a Hollywood director, played by Winnipeg-born comedian David Huband, making films about icons like Rocket Richard, John A. Macdonald, Bobby Orr and the Canadian North. There have been several studies on the absence of Canadian drama TV shows during prime time, including a full parliamentary review of the entire broadcasting system conducted recently by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. The Heritage Committee produced a near-unanimous set of 97 recommendations. "This is a problem that requires urgent attention, and the Heritage Committee has produced a road map that’s supported by all political parties in the House of Commons. For two years, members of Parliament reviewed the broadcasting system and have come up with a comprehensive set of reforms which involve some fundamental changes. All that’s needed is the political will to act on them," Morrison said. The director of the spots is Mitch Gabourie, who has recently been nominated by the Directors Guild of Canada as best documentary director for his work on Mob Stories, and the writer is Aubrey Singer. Colour by Deluxe, Kodak Canada and Cineplex Odeon are among more than 30 companies and organizations that have contributed to the campaign financially or by donating goods or services. Friends has also established a campaign web site – TellCanadianStories.ca – where visitors can learn more about the campaign and how to become involved. Canadian comedian David Huband, who plays "Buck Calder", the main character in the spots, said: "This is no joke. Canada is the only nation whose television networks are so dominated by another country’s programs." Friends of Canadian Broadcasting is a Canada-wide watchdog organization supported by 60,000 households whose mission is to defend and enhance the quality and quantity of Canadian programming in the audio-visual system. - 30 - For information: Jim Thompson |
Feb 1, 2012 — Hamilton residents want their own CBC stationA substantial majority of Hamilton area residents would like CBC to establish a local radio station to cover community affairs, and support the Conservative's pre-election pledge to maintain or increase CBC funding. Jan 31, 2012 — London residents want their own CBC stationA wide majority  of London residents would like CBC to establish a local radio station to cover community affairs and most hope their MP would champion the new station or not oppose it. Jan 31, 2012 — Kamloops area residents want their own CBC stationA substantial majority of Kamloops area residents would like CBC to establish a local radio station to cover community affairs and three-quarters hope their MP would champion a new station or not oppose it. Jan 19, 2012 — Waterloo region residents want their own CBC stationA new opinion survey shows a substantial majority (68%) of Waterloo region residents would like CBC to establish a local radio station to cover community affairs and most (73%) hope their MP would champion the new station or not oppose it. Nov 29, 2011 — Le gouvernement conservateur perdrait sa nouvelle crédibilité en matière culturelle si Radio-Canada subissait des coupuresLe parti Conservateur a réussi à s'attirer la confiance des citoyens en ce qui a trait à la culture canadienne et à la Société Radio-Canada, mais cette confiance pourrait rapidement se volatiliser si la SRC devait faire face aux compressions à son allocation parlementaire dont les rumeurs abondent. Nov 29, 2011 — Poll: New Conservative traction on culture and CBC could slip with budget cutsNew survey finds the Conservative Party is gaining the trust of voters when it comes to Canadian culture and the CBC, but that trust could quickly evaporate if forecast cuts to the national public broadcaster’s parliamentary allocation come to pass. Oct 27, 2011 — PM’s appointees responsible for CBC’s disclosure woesFRIENDS says the current debate about the CBC's access to information practices lays bare a broader accountability issue. Sep 26, 2011 — CBC funding comes under Conservative fire despite election promiseDespite an election promise to maintain or increase funding to the CBC, cutting or even eliminating the budget of the national public broadcaster seems to be rising up the agenda of the Harper government. |
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