NDP WINS PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE STUDY ON TV CRISIS

Hearings will focus on loss of local stations and voices

Ottawa – Parliamentary hearings are set to begin to examine the unprecedented crisis in local television programming. The hearings were proposed by NDP Heritage Critic Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) at the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. The committee will hear testimony on the impacts of the dramatic downturn in local programming.

NDP MP Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe), who brought the concerns of the hundreds of Londoners who have contact her office regarding the recent loss of local programming on “A” TV London to Angus’s attention last week, welcomed the hearings as action long overdue.

"All across Canada we are seeing the loss of regional stations and the disappearance of local programming. It is simply not good enough for parliamentarians to sit on the sidelines. Local media voices, in both print and broadcast media contribute to the sense of identity in our communities, to the culture of our nation, and even to the health of our democracy. After all, freedom of the press is key to an open and democratic society, but there cannot be freedom of the press if there are no local voices left to tell the colourful local stories that truly define our communities" Mathyssen said.

"Members of all parties must work together to try and find solutions to the crisis facing the television industry. In London, we have three MPs from three different parties, and we have all expressed our support for the “A” TV London programming. But we are 3 MPs of 308, we need to ensure that our colleagues are listening to our concerns and taking them seriously. I know Charlie Angus listened to me and took action. I know the rest of our NDP Caucus listened as well and we are united on this issue.”

Angus’ motion, adopted at yesterday’s meeting, will have the committee examine a number of factors facing the beleaguered television industry -- including the impacts of growing media concentration, falling ad revenues and the implications of the transition from analogue to digital.

“There are a host of issues facing our struggling broadcasters. We have to do more than just pass the buck to the CRTC, because frankly the CRTC alone does not have the ability to address all the issues. It is in our national interest to ensure Canada’s broadcast landscape has a healthy balance of local, regional and diverse voices. The Government of Canada has a key role to play in restoring this balance,” Mathyssen added.

The hearings are set to begin on March 25 with testimony from the CRTC’s Chairman, Konrad von Finckenstein, as well as Vice-Chairman of Broadcasting, Michel Arpin, and Director General of Television Policy and Applications, Peter Foster.