The Senate Transport and Communications Committee will release a report on how legislation could improve the quality of Canadian media and help to counter the worrysome trend towards media concentration.
Columnist gives advance input to Senate Committee hearings on the Canadian news media.
CRTC decision to allow Bell to enter the cable television market could coincide with another wave of industry consolidation.
Rogers encouraged by CRTC approval of Bell's entry into cable distribution market, hopes for same treatment of Rogers initiatives in local telephony.
Columnist Eric Reguly analyses the "real" reasons behind the CBC decision to partner with Sirius to bring satellite radio to Canada.
Reuters reports that the Australian government plans to change its "controversial" media ownership rules to allow for foreign ownership.
Article says that contrary to expectations, 2004 has been mostly devoid of media takeovers.
The CRTC should press for an improved benefits package that could include investing in research on media accessibility, if it is to approve the sale of Craig Media Inc. to CHUM Ltd.
Columnist argues that the recent CRTC ruling on CHOI-FM is just one more example of 'journalism by judges', a process that allows the federal government to whittle down journalistic freedom and independence in Quebec.
Quebecor says it is determined to make Toronto 1 profitable if the CRTC approves the sale of the television station.
American columnist says Canadians generally know more about the United States and the rest of the world than many Americans, since they are more likely to see and pay attention to world news.
In the interests of quality, democracy, diversity, localism and competition, the US government and the FCC must change broadcasting regulations to encourage independent media, Turner writes.
Hamilton city councillor bemoans lack of diversity resulting from only one commercial television station in the market, notes similarly sized urban areas have four times the number of stations.
The Canadian television industry would benefit from a more vigorous regulator; Canadians should stand behind the CRTC.
Media fragmentation has reduced the amount of advertising targetted to the wrong audience.
CHUM involvement in the proposed deal's fine print may raise flags at the CRTC.
The New VI's new owner, CHUM, may not provide the local programming for which the station's licence was originally granted, columnist says.
CHUM has promised a $20 million benefit package to Canadian television, mostly directed at western Canadian producers, if the CRTC approves its takeover of Craig Media.
Sources suggest Quebecor, Torstar, Moses Znaimer may bid on Toronto 1 when CRTC hearings dealing with potential licence trafficking begin in September.
An inevitable loss of subscribers to satellite providers has given cable the ability to raise rates without CRTC approval.
Video games and the Internet will play a major role in a rebounding global media industry, a new PricewaterhouseCoopers report says.
U.S. federal appeals court strikes down new FCC rules that would have allowed for greater media concentration in American markets.
Federal appeals court decision will affect media companies' plans for expansion, but will not force them to sell assets right away.
U.S. court ruling says the FCC failed to show rule changes permitting greater media concentration were in the public interest.
Star Choice has moved Sportsnet, TSN, and Raptors NBA TV out of their Sports Pack without notice or proper marketing, channel executives claim.
US federal appeals court overturns FCC rule changes that would have allowed companies to own more radio and TV stations in the same market; but upholds FCC decision allowing them to own both a newspaper and a TV station in the same market.
FCC issues discussion paper on television distribution competition in theUnited States.
In the face of challenges to the CRTC by the Conservative Party and some telecom companies, the Commission's chair says fundamental changes to the CRTC's role and structure are not required.
Author suggests the media are failing to contribute to an informed citizenry during elections.
FRIENDS announces the three winners of the 2004 Dalton Camp Award. Formal presentation: Monday, June 14th at the Banff Television Festival.
BCE considers long-term growth prospects and CRTC rulings as it considers selling Bell Globemedia; Rogers responds to Bell cable TV proposal.
HDTV is a hard sell not because consumers don't know about it, but because they just don't want it, columnist says.
Cable and telecom companies are each trying to move into the other's domain, and their competition would ultimately benefit consumers, columnist says.
CRTC may decide granting BCE a cable licence will give Bell an unfair competitive advantage.
Bell cites increasing competition from cable operators for decision to seek licence to deliver television services over telephone lines.
Faced with a shrinking market for residential phone service, Bell has applied for a cable television distribution licence in some of eastern Canada's largest markets.
Editorial says media conglomerates' stake in the outcome of the federal election makes them reluctant to cover media and cultural policy issues, with the result that these issues are largely being ignored.
Bell is using VDSL technology to gain access to the digital television market in Toronto.
Asper takes shots at free news websites at Canadian newspaper conference.
CanWest Global CEO tells newspaper conference that the media industry is doing well, but must embrace change by charging for online content and having editorial teams work more closely with marketing, advertising and circulation personnel.
Liberal party election platform fails to address important culture and broadcasting issues.
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.
Nine out of 10 respondents to FRIENDS survey agreed that strengthening Canadian culture and identity is important as Canada-U.S. economic ties increase.
CanWest Global is among many bidders for the money-losing but influential Jerusalem Post.
Friends poll shows Canadians want a stronger CBC, less media concentration and a Canadian-owned broadcasting system.
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.
FRIENDS invites CRTC to investigate a dramatic reduction in local news, and an advertising monopoly, resulting from the June 2001 implementation of a local sales agreement in the Sudbury market.
Although Disney's refusal to distribute "Fahrenheit 911" will not harm Michael Moore's financial prospects, it will harm free expression in the U.S.
As Michael Moore seeks another distributor for his documentary "Fahrenheit 911," Disney says it never agreed to have Miramax distribute the film.
The federal Competition Bureau responds to a complaint that the Rogers/Newcap Sales Management Agreement may constitute a criminal conspiracy under Canadian competition laws.
Disney's refusal to release Michael Moore film undermines free speech, shows downside of media concentration.
BCE CEO increases pressure on the federal government to update telecommunications laws, including foreign ownership restrictions.
CBC staff must be exempt from whistleblower legislation to preserve their journalistic independence.
Americans divided on response to Globe & Mail columnist's criticism of Fox News.
Canadian lawyer/author Peter Grant says the market-based world economy has widened the distribution of cultural products, but decreased their variety.
John Doyle responds to Fox News commentator.
Quebecor employees cautious after TVA humourist replaced following owner Pierre-Karl Peladeau's reaction to an unflattering sketch.
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.
The field of potential buyers of Toronto 1 from CHUM narrows.
Craig's investment in Toronto 1 turned out to be a case of betting the ranch.
CHUM acquisition of Craig is expected to trigger other media consolidation.
Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications responds to Canwest News Service coverage of Committee's Interim Report on media concentration.
Vice president communications for CBC/Radio-Canada responds to Canwest News Service coverage of Senate Standing Committee Interim Report on media concentration.
Senate report reveals news accounts for 54 per cent of expenditures on Canadian programming by conventional broadcasters.
Senate inquiry into media concentration produces interim report intended to "inform Canadians" but drawing no conclusions and making no recommendations.
Ipsos-Reid poll shows more than twice as many British Columbians oppose than favour the provincial government's proposed sale of Knowledge Network to private broadcasters.
FRIENDS survey of British Columbians says most oppose the sale of the provincial public educational broadcaster, Knowledge Network.
In a survey, 69 percent of B.C. residents opposed selling the educational broadcaster Knowledge Network to a private company.
B.C. plan to seek private sector "operating partner" for public educational television network opposed by majority of British Columbians.
Antonia Zerbisias discusses the erosion of diversity in Canadian news coverage.
Increase in private radio profits is credited to industry consolidation and new niches for AM radio.
Alternative federal budget discusses importance of public investment in CBC, Canadian broadcasting and Canadian culture (see pp. 33-34).
Alliance Atlantis, which received millions of dollars in film and television production subsidies from the Canadian government, dismisses suggestions it plans to sell the company, hints that it may be in the mood to buy.
Opponents of the Comcast-Disney deal argue that the combination would enable media companies in the U.S. to raise rates on cable and satellite subscriptions while diminishing the diversity of their programming.
CanWest's Asper considers buying UK newspaper The Telegraph from Conrad Black.
Astral Media withdraws application to transfer ownership of eight Quebec radio stations.
Media access groups argue that new FCC broadcasting ownership rules may lead to a few large companies owning most of the major sources of news gathering and reporting in some markets.
Quebecor can only expand if it builds on the convergence model it has implemented in Quebec; there would be no such logic to a union between Quebecor and Craig.
CanWest plans to launch a multimedia digital newspaper it calls a "power-point on steroids".
CanWest identifies a share of cable subscription fees, and relief from requirements to provide local programming, as desirable regulatory changes that would help it to reduce debt and fund acquisitions.
CanWest says it is keen to be a buyer in the anticipated flurry of media deals in Canada and claims it could spend up to $1-billion.
The sale of Craig Media is expected to trigger other media sector consolidation in the coming year.
Daryl Duke, producer, director and member of FRIENDS' steering committee, comments on the lowering of standards in North American television and the importance of local programming.
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.
A group known as Remembering Rwanda, which has lined up memorial events around the world, laments the lack of international media attention paid to the anniversary of the Rwanda genocide.
Censorship is wrong, but Aspers' suggestion of a Senate inquiry on the matter is inconsistent with their view that the government keep out of the media business.
Private broadcasters and Alliance Atlantis point to U.S. competition and advantage to explain the lack of Canadian stories on domestic television screens.
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.
