BCE/CTV deal requires a strong CRTC

OTTAWA, Sept. 10 /CNW/ - Canadians should be provided assurances through the CRTC that the purchase of CTV by BCE will be of benefit to the public in terms of access to news diversity, and as bill-paying customers, says Canada's largest media union.  

"In the emerging days of online broadcasting, there was a certain inevitability that these two media giants would set up a media box store. "The CRTC must now ensure, on behalf of consumers, that such massive media power will be used to benefit all Canadians in their news and entertainment programming," says Peter Murdoch, Vice-President, Media, for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union. CEP represents employees at both CTV and The Globe.    

"Together, the purchase of Canwest by Shaw, and Bell's purchase of CTV means that two companies now control roughly two-thirds of all broadcasting revenues in English Canada. 

"This is enormous power and influence which has to be balanced by a more activist CRTC, as the publicly-minded regulator," adds Murdoch.  

"While a stand-alone Globe offers some challenges - the brand of this prestigious newspaper is so strong that we expect the change in ownership to the Thomson family will enhance the Globe's reputation as an independent voice in the media landscape, and be of net benefit to the daily." 

Murdoch says the issue of the controversial fee-for-carriage, now part of a Federal Court of Appeal case, "has almost become moot because broadcasting carriers and content providers are on the same team." 

"But the critical issue for broadcast consumers remains:  Will Canadians continue to see quality local news and information on their hometown stations? The CRTC has to muscle up in Canadians' interest to balance the profit-maximizing, cost-cutting corporate interests of big media."

For further information:

More information:  Peter Murdoch: 905 516 5720 (cell) or 613 230 5800 ext. 249