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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-154
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Ottawa, 14 May 2003
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Sound of Faith Broadcasting
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
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Application 2002-0166-6
Public Hearing at Kitchener, Ontario
28 October 2002
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Christian music radio station in Kitchener-Waterloo
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In this decision, the Commission approves the application by Sound of Faith Broadcasting for a low-power English-language specialty FM radio station in Kitchener-Waterloo that will feature Christian music and other religious programming.
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Sound of Faith's proposed station is one of four new FM radio stations authorized in decisions issued today to provide service to the Kitchener-Waterloo area. In total, these decisions deal with ten applications for new FM radio stations that were considered at the 28 October 2002 Public Hearing in Kitchener. The decisions are accompanied by Introduction to Broadcasting Decisions CRTC 2003-152 to 2003-155 - Licensing of new FM radio stations to serve Kitchener-Waterloo, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2003-25, 14 May 2003.
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The application
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1.
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Sound of Faith Broadcasting (Sound of Faith) has applied for a broadcasting licence to operate a new low-power, English-language specialty FM radio programming undertaking in Kitchener-Waterloo. The applicant proposed to operate the station on frequency 94.3 MHz (channel 232LP) with an effective radiated power of 50 watts.
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2.
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The applicant is a non-profit, charitable organization registered with Revenue Canada. In Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-416, the Commission approved an application by Sound of Faith for a licence to operate a low-power English-language specialty FM radio programming undertaking in London, Ontario. That station is not yet in operation.
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3.
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The proposed station's programming would consist of 70% musical programming and 30% spoken word programming. Although the applicant did not propose to broadcast regularly-scheduled newscasts until the sixth year of operation, Sound of Faith does intend to offer 106 hours each week of original local programming, including interviews, discussion programs and the promotion of local events and activities. Sound of Faith stated that the local programming would be related to local churches and various religious communities in Kitchener-Waterloo.
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Balance programming
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4.
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In Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993 (the Religious Policy), the Commission stated that those stations which broadcast religious programming have an obligation to offer different views on matters of general public concern, including religious matters. The Commission expects all applicants to provide details on how they intend to ensure balance in their programming, and how they would respond to complaints from the public about balance in programming.
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5.
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With respect to balance in its programming, the applicant stated that most of each broadcast week would be devoted to religious programming. Approximately 8% of each week (10 hours) would be allocated to ethnic programming, some of which would be religious programming directed to the Spanish, Portuguese, Korean and Ukrainian communities. Sound of Faith also indicated that it had held discussions with members of the Islamic and Jewish communities regarding the possibility of providing those communities with access time. The applicant also indicated that its proposed programming would include studio discussions, interviews and open-line talk programs with invited guests representing various denominations and faith groups. Sound of Faith also approached Zelda Young, a member of the Canadian Jewish Congress, about bringing her daily one-hour program to the proposed station. Sound of Faith expected that at least six or seven hours each week would be devoted to balance programming, all of which would be broadcast after 6:00 p.m.
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6.
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Sound of Faith further indicated that it has a committee in place to provide advice concerning the proposed station's programming. The applicant added that it would form a separate committee to handle any complaints received concerning the content of balance programming.
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Volunteers
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7.
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The Commission notes that, in implementing its programming plans, the applicant would require a large number of volunteer staff members, who would be involved in the day to day operation of the proposed station. Sound of Faith stated that either an individual staff member or a committee would be responsible for training volunteers and overseeing their participation in the station's programming. Volunteers would be trained prior to their joining the station, and internal guidelines and mechanisms would be put in place to ensure regulatory obligations are met.
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Canadian talent development
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8.
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Sound of Faith confirmed in its application that it would participate in the Canadian talent development (CTD) plan created by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB). Under that plan, accepted by the Commission in Contributions by radio stations to Canadian talent development - A new approach, Public Notice CRTC 1995-196, 17 November 1995, licensees serving markets the size of Kitchener-Waterloo are required to contribute, through eligible third parties, a minimum yearly amount of $5,000 to the development of Canadian talent. Sound of Faith indicated its intention to direct its CTD contributions representing a minimum of $5,000 per year to the Canadian Gospel Music Association, Emmanuel Bible College and Heritage Baptist College, for distribution to individuals or groups wishing to record CDs, and to fund the cost of providing a course in broadcasting for individuals wishing to pursue a career in Christian broadcasting.
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Interventions
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9.
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Forty-one groups and individuals submitted interventions in support of the Sound of Faith application.
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10.
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Comments related to the application were received from Ron and Kathy Fowler, who expressed the view that a local Christian music radio station would be beneficial to the community. Bryan O'Brien submitted further comments, stating that the benefits for society should dictate that applications for Christian-oriented services should have priority over applications for other types of broadcasting.
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The Commission's determination
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11.
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The Commission approves the application by Sound of Faith for a licence to operate a low-power English-language specialty FM radio programming undertaking at Kitchener-Waterloo. The station will operate on frequency 94.3 MHz (channel 232LP), with an effective radiated power of 50 watts.
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12.
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In Commercial Radio Policy 1998, Public Notice CRTC 1998-41, 30 April 1998, the Commission stated that licensees must include spoken word material of direct and particular relevance to the community served, such as local news, weather and sports, and the promotion of local events and activities.
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13.
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Although the applicant does not plan to offer traditional newscasts until the latter part of the licence term, the Commission is satisfied that the quantity and nature of other types of local programming proposed by Sound of Faith would satisfy the policy objectives of providing spoken word programming of direct and particular relevance to the community served.
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14.
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The Commission specifically expects Sound of Faith to adhere to its commitment to offer during each broadcast week 106 hours of station-produced programming, of which 30% would be devoted to local spoken word material that is relevant to the community, such as interviews with local groups and individuals, studio discussions, open line programs and the promotion of local community events and activities. The Commission also expects the applicant to adhere to its commitment to provide news, weather and sports programming, beginning in the sixth year of the licence term.
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15.
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As stated in the Religious Policy, licensees of stations that broadcast religious programming have an obligation to provide balance in their programming. In that policy, the Commission noted a number of mechanisms that would assist licensees in achieving balance, including scheduling of periods for listener reactions, providing access to complainants, searching out alternative points of view, producing or acquiring programming, and providing access to other local faith groups. Based on the applicant's proposals related to the provision of programming that meets the balance obligation, and the applicant's indication that it will form a regulatory review committee to oversee the content of such programming, from the point of view of providing balance, the Commission is of the view that the applicant has demonstrated that it would satisfy the balance requirement set out in the Broadcasting Act, and discussed in the Religious Policy.
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16.
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The Commission expects Sound of Faith to adhere to the balance requirement, and to adhere to its commitment to broadcast a minimum of six hours of programming that meets the balance obligation during each broadcast week. The Commission also expects Sound of Faith to adhere to its commitment to form a regulatory review committee that would oversee the content of such programming. Further, the Commission encourages the applicant to seek Canadian sources for religious programming.
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17.
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With respect to volunteer staff, the Commission expects the applicant to ensure that its volunteers are informed of all pertinent CRTC regulations and policies, to prepare a training manual to instruct its volunteers as to the balance requirements, and to submit to the Commission within four months of the date of this decision, a copy of that manual.
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18.
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The Commission is also satisfied that the applicant's plans for the development and support of Canadian talent are clear and appropriate. The Commission notes in this regard the applicant's intention to participate in the plan to support the development of Canadian talent developed by the CAB, and Sound of Faith's intention to direct its CTD contributions to the Canadian Gospel Music Association, Emmanuel Bible College and Heritage Baptist College.
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Issuance of the licence
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19.
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The licence will expire 31 August 2009. It will be subject to the conditions set out in New licence form for commercial radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1999-137, 24 August 1999, as well as to the conditions set out in the appendix to this decision.
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20.
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The Department of Industry (the Department) has advised the Commission that, while this application is conditionally technically acceptable, it will only issue a broadcasting certificate when it has determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.
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21.
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The Commission reminds the applicant that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, no licence may be issued until the Department notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.
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22.
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Given that the technical parameters approved in this decision are for a low-power unprotected FM service, the Commission also reminds the applicant that it will have to select another frequency if the Department so requires.
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23.
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Furthermore, the licence for this undertaking will be issued once the applicant has informed the Commission in writing that it is prepared to commence operations. The undertaking must be operational at the earliest possible date and in any event no later than 24 months from the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 14 May 2005. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted at least 60 days before this date.
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Cultural diversity
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24.
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In Commercial Radio Policy 1998, Public Notice CRTC 1998-41, 30 April 1998, the Commission encouraged all radio broadcasters to reflect the cultural diversity of Canada.
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25.
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In interventions to each of the applications for new radio programming undertakings heard at the Kitchener public hearing, the Communications and Diversity Network of the Pearson-Shoyama Institute outlined its concerns about the promotion of diversity in radio broadcasting, and made suggestions for the evaluation of a licensee's performance in the five areas of programming, employment practices, news, music and promotion of Canadian artists. As part of this proceeding, Sound of Faith and all other applicants were given the opportunity to describe the measures they would take to incorporate and reflect the reality of Canada's cultural, ethnic, racial and Aboriginal diversity in each of these five areas.
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26.
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In response, Sound of Faith stated that although it would not have many employees, its large complement of volunteers would include individuals with various ethnic backgrounds, and the station would welcome all individuals regardless of race or ethnic background. Sound of Faith also stated that 8% of each broadcast week would be devoted to ethnic programming focussing on the Spanish, Portuguese, Korean and Ukrainian communities.
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27.
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The Commission notes the applicant's commitment to promote Canada's cultural diversity through both the programming and hiring practices of the new station.
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Secretary General
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This decision is to be appended to the licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-154
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Conditions of licence
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The licence will be subject to the conditions set out in New licence form for commercial radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1999-137, 24 August 1999, as well as to the following conditions:
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1.
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The station shall be operated within the Specialty format as defined in A review of certain matters concerning radio, Public Notice CRTC 1995-60, 21 April 1995, and Revised content categories and subcategories for radio, Public Notice CRTC 2000-14, 28 January 2000, as amended from time to time.
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2.
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The licensee shall ensure that, during each broadcast week, no less than 95% of all musical selections broadcast are drawn from subcategory 35 (non-classic religious).
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3.
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In each broadcast week, the licensee shall devote to the broadcast of Canadian selections no less than 15% of all Category 3 - Special interest musical selections.
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4.
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The licensee shall broadcast, in any broadcast week, less than 50% hit material as defined in Revised policy on the use of hits by English-language FM radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1997-42, 23 April 1997.
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5.
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The licensee shall adhere to the guidelines on ethics in religious programming as set out in section IV of Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993, as amended from time to time.
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Date Modified: 2003-05-14
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