Changes to CBC Radio
The the Executive Council of the CLC is encouraging its members to join in our collective protest of recent programming changes as CBC Radio One, which we fear foreshadow other detrimental programming changes to CBC Radio Two, and certainly minimize possibilities for new music programming at other times.
At a roundtable discussion between several CBC Producers, management, and the CLC Executive Council, the CBC expressed interest toward incorporating contemporary Canadian art music more frequently in regular programming, both on Radio One and Radio Two. As of Monday, November 7, however, our public broadcaster has made a significant change in direction, by including mainstream pop music in its programming. In doing so, the CBC is failing to fulfill its mandate according to the Broadcasting Act, and minimizes the development of original content and dissemination of the creative work of the many talented creators in our membership.
The logic behind this is described in a recent Globe and Mail article which can be found at:
http://www.publicairwaves.ca/index.php?page=1424
The CLC has begun a protest of these changes, and encourage the membership to join in by sending the enclosed letter (by email and Canada post), or one of your own, to your Member of Parliament, with copies to each of the addresses enclosed. Members and the public are welcome to use all or a portion of this letter as material within their own letter.
As well, please contact other member of the creative community and the public, and urge them to support this action.
Member of Parliament addresses can be found at:
The CBC phone # for leaving your comments on programming is:
1-866-306-4636
The Canadian League of Composers also encourages member input on this and all matters.
Sincerely,
Paul Steenhuisen
Executive Council Member, Canadian League of Composer
Addresses:
Robert Rabinovitch, President and CEO,
P.O. Box 3220, Station C,
Ottawa, Ont.,
K1Y 1E4,
robert_Rabinovitch@cbc.ca,
Phone: (613) 288-6000,
Peter Herrndorf
Member of the board of directors P.O. Box 1534, Stn B
Ottawa Ontario Canada K1P 5W1
pherrndo@nac-cna.ca
Phone: 613-947-7000 ext. 200.
Mark Steinmetz, Director of Radio Music
P.O. Box 500, Station " A"
Toronto, Ont.
M5W 1E6
mark_steinmetz@cbc.ca
Phone: (416) 205-3100
The Hon. Liza Frulla, Minister of Canadian Heritage
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Frulla.L@parl.gc.ca
Telephone: (613) 995-6403
Fax: (613) 995-6404
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting
attn.: Ian Morrison
Box 200/238
131 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 1R8
Fax: (416) 968-7406
E-mail: friends@friends.ca
7 November, 2005
Dear
I am writing to protest recent changes in content objectives on CBC Radio One, and call upon you to invoke the responsibilities of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as outlined in the Broadcast Act.
According to a recent Globe and Mail article, the CBC has recently announced plans to begin broadcasting a significant quantity of mainstream popular music on Radio One, such as Madonna, Elton John, and other Top 40 music, with the intention of attracting listeners with background music "at work, dentist offices, and retail" outlets (Kelly Ryan, host of Freestyle as quoted in "CBC Radio revamp aimed at offices", The Globe and Mail, 1 November 2005). In doing so, our public broadcaster is significantly reducing the Canadian cultural content on our airwaves, diminishing the CBC's integral role in the expressing and supporting the unique Canadian identity, and failing to provide the high level of program content of which it is capable. The talents of many dedicated and world-class Canadian composers, writers, producers, and artists are being further replaced by commercial content that can be found on any number of mass audience radio stations.
According to the Broadcast Act, the CBC is mandated to provide programming that is "distinctively Canadian," "actively contribute(s) to the flow and exchange of cultural expression," and to "make maximum use of Canadian creative and other resources in the creation and presentation of programming." Increased commercialization of CBC Radio One, which we fear foreshadows changes to Radio Two and is driven by their Arts and Culture Research study, means that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is failing in its responsibility to "safeguard, enrich and strengthen the cultural, political, social and economic fabric of Canada." In his Remarks to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (October 27, 2005), CBC President Robert Rabinovitch stated that the CBC's mission is "audacious, distinctive programming." In addition, the CBC is neglecting its responsibilies as "a public service essential to the maintenance and enhancement of national identity and cultural sovereignty," and minimizing "educational and community programs". By reducing content provided by Canadian artists and cultural contributors and replacing it with mainstream pop music content and less in-depth subject matter, the CBC is reducing its significance to Canadians, and merely becoming more like commercial broadcasters on the radio dial.
I implore you to remind the CBC of its responsibilities as public broadcaster, to encourage their meaningful consultation with Canadian creators, and to enforce their mandate as outlined in the Broadcast Act.
Sincerely,
cc:
Liza Frulla, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for
Status of Women
Robert Rabinovitch, President, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
CBC Board of Directors
Jennifer McGuire, Executive Director of Programming, CBC
Mark Steinmetz, Head of Radio Music, CBC