Source: Calgary Herald

TORONTO -- Led by Rogers Communications Inc., the country's largest cable and satellite TV operators filed a formal complaint with communications authorities in Ottawa on Friday alleging CTVglobemedia Inc.'s "Save Local TV" advertising campaign has violated the Broadcasting Act.

"CTV, in order to pressure the government and the regulator to impose a TV tax on Canadian consumers, has been promoting its campaign across its media television properties," Rogers said in a statement.

CTV, which has said its local programming is in danger of being cut back if it cannot find additional revenue such as fees for carriage from cable and satellite operators, recently began airing television ads imploring viewers to contact their local federal representatives asking for a new tax on the operators.

Rogers also said Friday the broadcaster was using its news outlets to promote "unbalanced" coverage. "Incorporating the campaign into their local newscasts violates the Broadcasting Act and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters own Code of Ethics."

Rogers was joined by Bell, Telus Corp., Cogeco Inc. as well as Atlantic Canada operator Eastlink in launching the formal protest.

Broadcasters such as CTV and Canwest Global Communications Corp., which also owns the National Post, are seeking fees from cable and satellite companies for the local content broadcast stations provide.

Officials from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) began hearings to review the compensation dilemma in April. A ruling is expected later this year. In a notice released on May 15, the CRTC said it is prepared to work with the industry to find "a systemic and structural solution" for the over-the-air TV sector.

A letter signed by the operators urged the CRTC to take "immediate action" against the CTV campaign. "While we fundamentally disagree with CTV's position on a TV tax, the issue here is not about [that]. It is about a blatant violation of respected journalistic principles," said Phil Lind, vice chairman of Rogers.

The original statement from Rogers Communications Inc.
 
TORONTO, May 22 /CNW/ -- Rogers today, along with Bell, Telus, Cogeco, Eastlink and the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance Inc. (CCSA), filed a complaint with the CRTC that CTV has violated the Broadcasting Act by airing one-sided and unbalanced coverage of its own advocacy campaign.

CTV, in order to pressure the government and the regulator to impose a TV tax on Canadian consumers, has been promoting its "Save Local TV' campaign across its media television properties. Incorporating the campaign into their local newscasts violates the Broadcasting Act and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters own Code of Ethics.

"While we fundamentally disagree with CTV's position on a TV tax, the issue here is not about their position, it is about a blatant violation of respected journalistic principles," said Phil Lind, Vice Chairman, Rogers.

"The public should expect better and not be manipulated with one-sided reporting masquerading as 'real news'. No advocacy group should be able to hijack the newscasts of Canadian broadcasters, and that is especially true when the advocacy group is the broadcaster itself."

Rogers argues in its letter to the CRTC that the Broadcasting Act requires broadcasters to "provide reasonable, balanced opportunity for the expression of differing views on matters of public concern". As well, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Code of Ethics emphasizes that news programming "shall be presented with accuracy and without bias."

The correspondence signed by Rogers, Bell, Telus, Cogeco, Eastlink and the CCSA, urged the CRTC to take immediate action to correct the situation and terminate these violations.

© Calgary Herald