The future looks bleak for the Canadian film and television industry, although innovative programming gives reason for hope.
Incoming Telefilm CEO Wayne Clarkson believes that the Canadian film industry has the potential to triumph.
The federal government will appeal Quebec court's finding that Radiocommunications Act provisions restricting access to foreign satellite signals are unconstitutional.
Chris Haddock, creator of acclaimed series Da Vinci's Inquest, calls public broadcasting "the most valuable thing we can continue to defend".
The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada says it would like to see the federal government state its explicit intent to maintain current foreign ownership restrictions.
Columnist Eric Reguly analyses the "real" reasons behind the CBC decision to partner with Sirius to bring satellite radio to Canada.
John Bitove Jr. is championing satellite radio in Canada; if his hundred million dollar investment is approved by the CRTC, he may become the next major media player in Canada.
Satellite radio will be the next big thing in Canada - the question is whether the CRTC wants to "get in front of the wave or get knocked over by it", says columnist.
Windsor Star editorial board uses CBC involvement in a satellite radio application to argue the public broadcaster should not exist at all.
Coalition Against Satellite Signal Theft recommends appeal of Quebec decision, notes that satellite signal theft remains illegal, and that U.S. satellite providers lack programming rights to sell to Canadians in any case.
Quebec Court decision finds grey market satellite restrictions contravene freedom of expression, but extends one year grace period before ruling will take effect.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development urged Canada to drop its restrictions on foreign ownership, including in broadcasting - a suggestion rejected by Industry Minister David Emerson.
The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development says that Canada should drop foreign ownership restrictions in numerous sectors, including communications, to foster competition.
The debate surrounding satellite radio in Canada will come to a head when the CRTC rules on how 'Canadianized' the various bids are.
Article says satellite radio is the future, notes it is already available in Canada on the Internet.
Quebec court ruling to allow Canadians access to grey market satellite systems could have significant repercussions for Canadian broadcasting system.
Reuters reports that the Australian government plans to change its "controversial" media ownership rules to allow for foreign ownership.
Industry Minister says he does not disagree with Heritage Minister that foreign ownership limits are important to the protection of Canada's cultural industries.
Minister of Industry David Emerson says he is not convinced current restrictions on foreign ownership of telecommunications and cable companies hurt the industry.
FRIENDS' written comments regarding RAI provided to the expert panel appointed by The Minister of Canadian Heritage to study policies and access to third language public television services. The panel invited FRIENDS to an in-person meeting held August 26, 2004.
The Canadian broadcast industry appears thrilled by the appointement of Liza Frulla as Minister of Canadian Heritage.
New Heritage Minister Liza Frulla says she stands firmly against relaxing foreign ownership limits.
RAI is examining legal recourse following CRTC rejection of its application for carriage in Canada.
Criticism of RAI, Al-Jazeera rulings is often exaggerated rhetoric, and both stations, as well as Fox News, should be allowed in Canada, editorial says.
CRTC's decision to police offensive content from within Canada while allowing potentially offensive content from abroad is contradictory, columnist says.
Joint Canada-U.S. digital radio proposals currently before the CRTC are much stronger than the Canadian-only one, but all three should be approved so that the market can decide, columnist says.
Bloc and NDP power in Liberal minority government means culture-oriented industry groups have an unprecedented chance to gain support and resources, columnist says.
Overhauls to the CRTC's foreign ownership and communications policies may fall by the wayside under a Liberal minority.
Video games and the Internet will play a major role in a rebounding global media industry, a new PricewaterhouseCoopers report says.
The Liberal Party, the NDP, the Green Party and the Bloc Québécois replied to cultural coalition letter regarding their arts and culture policies.
Policy proposal to scrap the CRTC would give government direct control over broadcast licensing, would remove protections that have allowed Canadian entertainment events like the MuchMusic Video Awards to take form.
The Liberal response to cultural groups' concerns hasn't been sufficient, columnist says.
Leaked policy revealing the Conservatives' plan to restructure the CRTC and relax foreign ownership restrictions has pushed Canadian culture onto the election agenda.
Actors' gathering at CBC headquarters urges public to ask why cultural issues are being ignored in the election campaign.
Speakers at ACTRA-organized gathering at CBC broadcast headquarters criticize party leaders for making no mention of cultural policy issues during televised leaders' debate.
Canadian people, not just television and film industry spokespeople, should be concerned about Conservative cultural and broadcasting policies.
Text of Hélène Chalifour Scherrer's speech at the Banff Television Festival.
Speakers at the Banff Television Festival call for political parties to disclose their cultural platforms.
Arts groups and Liberals criticize Tory arts policies; Conservatives and some commentators say there's nothing to worry about.
At Banff Television Festival, Minister of Canadian Heritage denounces Conservative cultural policies, while Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union asks the Liberals to come clean about their own.
Scherrer denounces Conservative cultural policies in her speech at the Banff Television Festival.
With the federal election just two weeks away, political concerns overshadow traditional workshop topics at Banff Television Festival.
Well-known Canadians join FRIENDS in expressing concern over policies proposed in Conservative party briefing note to candidates.
Well-known Canadians join FRIENDS in urging Conservative leader to reconsider broadcasting policies contained in briefing note to Conservative candidates.
Liberal Heritage Minister to criticize Conservative cultural policies in speech at Banff Television Festival; dismissed by Conservatives as fear-mongering.
Minister of Canadian Heritage discusses Liberal Party position on culture and broadcasting.
The end of federal subsidies would not destroy the Canadian cultural industry, columnist says.
Daryl Duke, who will be awarded the John Drainie Award at the 2004 Banff Television Festival, says Canadian broadcasting and Canadian identity are under threat. Duke is a member of the Steering Committee of FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting.
A Conservative government would relax Canadian content requirements and foreign ownership restrictions in the broadcasting sector.
New study shows Canadian broadcasters pay the lowest licence fees, have the lowest per capita ad revenue and spend the most money on foreign programming of any English-speaking country surveyed.
Liberal party election platform fails to address important culture and broadcasting issues.
Response to a letter from the President of the Canadian Media Guild purporting to correct FRIENDS' factual statement that CMG, which is now CBC's largest union, is in fact the Canadian local of an American union, the Communications Workers of America.
FRIENDS releases a guide to election advertising and other election-related media issues to federal election candidates across Canada.
FRIENDS releases two new polls on state of public broadcasting, informs Senate committee and Dalton McGuinty of the results.
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.
Campaign performance rather than polls are likely to decide the outcome of the 2004 federal election.
On the eve of a federal election, a major union is calling on Canada's political parties to come clean with their policies on foreign ownership, media concentration, and the CBC.
Ipsos-Reid pre-election poll commissioned by FRIENDS shows Canadian voters support strengthening Canadian content, culture and identity as a means to balance closer integration with the United States.
FRIENDS' pre-election poll shows strong support for safeguarding Canadian content, culture and identity to balance closer economic integration with the United States.
CPAC's Ken Rockburn interviews Ian Morrison on the results of FRIENDS' pre-election polling on the CBC, foreign ownership of communications, and media concentration.
Declassified documents reveal the federal government has been considering steps to prevent terrorist groups from gaining access to broadcasting licences if foreign ownership limits are lifted.
CanWest Global is among many bidders for the money-losing but influential Jerusalem Post.
Richard Stursberg's apparent efforts to promote more commercially-oriented Canadian movies and recruit Canadian actors living in Hollywood have drawn criticism from the domestic film industry.
Ipsos-Reid poll commissioned by FRIENDS on the eve of a federal election shows Canadian voters favour maintaining foreign ownership rules, limiting media concentration, and strengthening CBC.
FRIENDS urges Senate Committee to support the 2003 recommendations of the House of Commons Heritage Committee, releases polling data evidencing popular support.
Liberals appear poised to remove foreign ownership restrictions for telephone and cable companies, will be pressured to do the same for broadcasters.
CBC will continue to program Newsworld International following its acquisition by former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore and his business partners.
Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore has acquired Newsworld International for an undisclosed sum.
Al Gore is among the new owners of the oft-traded CBC Newsworld International.
BCE CEO increases pressure on the federal government to update telecommunications laws, including foreign ownership restrictions.
Former Canadian Alliance strategist says CRTC’s refusal to allow Fox News to broadcast in Canada undermines Canadian media diversity and cultural development
Americans divided on response to Globe & Mail columnist's criticism of Fox News.
John Doyle responds to Fox News commentator.
Column on Fox News elicits flood of responses.
John Doyle says primary benefit to Canadians in granting cable industry request to distribute Fox News in Canada would be humour, notes Fox News slogan "Fair and Balanced" is an inside joke.
Cable industry asks CRTC a second time for the right to distribute U.S. Fox News as a direct feed to digital cable and satellite customers.
Fox news application driven by satellite signal piracy, need for cable industry to generate interest in digital television; may succeed on second try.
The sale of Toronto 1 is thinly disguised licence trafficking; the CRTC should require the licence to be returned.
FRIENDS co-sponsors all-candidates meeting in Ottawa Centre to address the mounting pressure on the federal government to remove foreign ownership limits on Canadian media and communications companies.
Industry, Heritage ministries reportedly considering model that would require divestiture of telecom and cable carriers' broadcasting assets as trade-off for increased foreign ownership limits.
Internal policy document leaked to media shows Conservative Party would relax or remove communications sector foreign ownership restrictions (p. 11), downsize and limit the role of the CRTC (p. 13) and remove protection for Canadian programming in the satellite distribution market (p. 14).
CCTA concerned over CAB suggestion of levy for foreign specialty television services.
Canadian Association of Broadcasters calls for end to "free ride" for foreign specialty television services carried in Canada, refers to copyright tariff paid by private radio broadcasters "somewhat of a ham-fisted attempt at cultural subsidy."
A U.S. investor group is reported to have agreed to buy the CBC specialty channel Newsworld International.
Article on FRIENDS speech to Canadian University Press conference links foreign ownership and media concentration, broadcasting and print journalism.
FRIENDS public meeting in Regina told foreign ownership of Canadian media would move decision-making on Canadian programs south.
FRIENDS public meeting in Edmonton reiterates call to maintain existing foreign ownership restrictions on Canadian media and communications.
Competition Commissioner critized for advocating removal of telecom foreign ownership limits.
Winnipeg public meeting urges federal government to "do nothing" on foreign ownership.
Speakers at well-attended public meeting in Winnipeg support leaving communications sector foreign ownership restrictions as they are.
Alternative federal budget discusses importance of public investment in CBC, Canadian broadcasting and Canadian culture (see pp. 33-34).
FRIENDS public meetings on foreign ownership continue on Tuesday, March 16 in Edmonton.
Communications professors who advised House of Commons Heritage Committee on Our Canadian Sovereignty report say there is no going back if foreign ownership limits are removed.
New Commissioner of Competition says telco foreign ownership restrictions should be lifted, but gradually.
FRIENDS public meetings on foreign ownership move to Winnipeg.
Heritage Minister Hélène Scherrer remains weak on opposition to foreign ownership in broadcasting and telecommunications sectors.
Public rallies co-sponsored by FRIENDS, the Communications, Energy & Paperworkers Union of Canada, the Council of Canadians and ACTRA urge the federal government to maintain current restrictions on communications sector foreign ownership.
Astral Media president argues why Canadian media companies should remain Canadian.
Public meetings show cabinet ministers' constituents care about maintaining Canadian control of media and communications.
FRIENDS meeting channels public concern over plans to open Canadian media and communications sectors to foreign ownership.
A collection of FRIENDS' statements, news articles and links on the topic of foreign ownership of media and communications companies.
Astral says a single major deal among Canada's media companies will create a "domino effect" of transactions.
NDP argues private broadcasters cannot replace CBC.
Paul Martin makes first public statement about CBC in response to remark by federal minister Stan Keyes that the public broadcaster is a "monster" and implying it should be sold.
National Revenue Minister and Liberal MP Stan Keyes proposes sale of CBC; Rabinovitch tenure as CBC president may not be renewed.
The Liberal government is being criticized over a memo apparently giving Toronto Liberal MPs special input into the selection of lawyers that will advise the government on the impact of lifting foreign ownership requirements for cable companies.
FRIENDS opposes the lifting of foreign ownership restrictions.
CanWest's Asper considers buying UK newspaper The Telegraph from Conrad Black.
Transcript of question from MP Wendy Lill to Minister of Canadian Heritage regarding communications sector foreign ownership.
CEO Leonard Asper pitches CanWest as a diversified international media enterprise, not "just a TV company", to U.S. investors.
Officials from Industry Canada and Heritage Canada are meeting to "resolve differences" over foreign ownership restrictions on telecommunications companies.
The auctioning off of Craig Media, which received a sought after broadcasting licence less than two years ago, illustrates how CRTC's licensing procedure is open to abuse.
New Heritage Minister, Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, believes mandate is to establish a vision for guarding the Canadian identity, not necessarily "know what books were published last week".
FRIENDS believes that support for CBC and strengthened cultural sovereignty are consistent with the Paul Martin government's stated goals.
Coalition for Communication and Cultural Sovereignty, comprising unions, artists, producers and cultural organizations, announces it has joined forces to combat the threat of communications sector foreign ownership.
New Minister of Canadian Heritage indicates that she supports maintaining Canadian ownership of the communications sector.
Most Canadians support the maintenance of controls on the foreign ownership of our media and telecommunications companies, a national opinion poll shows.
Poll shows Canadians would oppose a federal government decision to reduce foreign investment limits in telecommunications and take a dim view of corporate media ownership.
A group of unions, actors and Canadian cultural nationalists pledged to fight any increase in foreign ownership of Canadian media and telecom companies.
Most Canadians support the maintenance of controls on the foreign ownership of our media and telecommunications companies, a national opinion poll shows.
Obstacles to communications sector foreign ownership are fading with Paul Martin as Prime Minister, which could quickly lead to U.S. conglomerates buying up our television networks and cable companies.
Lukewarm coverage of Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage report, Our Cultural Sovereignty, is argued to reflect the censorship by omission that can result from media concentration.
Policy changes and a business cycle upswing are expected to spur consolidation in the Canadian media sector in 2004.
Possible increases in media cross-ownership and loosened foreign ownership limits would dramatically change the Canadian television industry.
