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Decision
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Ottawa, 30 September 1988
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Decision CRTC 88-726
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Radio Communautaire de Fermont Inc.
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Fermont, Quebec -874068000 -880088000
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Following a Public Hearing in Trois-Rivières, Quebec on 5 July 1988, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence for CFMF-FM Fermont from 1 October 1988 to 31 August 1991, subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued. This three-year licence term will enable the Commission to review, within a reasonable period, the performance of this station with respect to the concerns and expectations outlined in this decision.
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CFMF-FM holds a special FM licence for community radio, Type A, and operates in a Group IV musical format. In Decision CRTC 86-604 dated 26 June 1986, the Commission renewed this licence for a period of two years only because of various problems the station was experiencing in meeting its programming commitments, particularly in terms of its spoken word material, which contained very little local and regional content.
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Self-assessments conducted by the licensee of the programming it had broadcast during the weeks of 13 to 19 September and 15 to 21 November 1987 revealed that the licensee was still broadcasting very few local or regional news items. The Commission notes, however, that the licensee was greatly exceeding its commitment with respect to the broadcast of local and regional public affairs programs. The Commission further notes that the licensee has failed to meet its commitments regarding foreground programming by broadcasting only 13.1% and 8.26%, respectively, during the two weeks in question instead of the 22% level to which it was committed. The station was also broadcasting less than its committed levels of traditional and special interest music (category 6), and news.
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The September and November self-assessments, and another of the station's programming broadcast between 9 and 15 February 1987, indicated that the station's musical diversity had been compromised to the point that the station appeared to be operating in the Group I musical format, with approximately 80% of its musical selections coming from subcategory 51 (Por and Rock -Softer).
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The Commission notes that the station had experienced internal management problems in 1986/87 which made it necessary to cease operation during the summer of 1987. Although it continues to view with grave concern the station's repeated failure to comply with its Promise of Performance commitments and with Commission policies and regulations, the Commission has decided to renew CFMF-FM's licence for a term of three years, given the importance of community radio in the Fermont area. The Commission will, however, closely monitor the station's performance during the new licence term, and reminds the licensee that it must comply fully and at all times with its Promise of Performance commitments.
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With regard to the licensee's proposal in its new Promise of Performance that 67.1% of its category 5 (Music -General) selections be drawn from subcategory 51, the Commission notes that in Public Notice CRTC 1985-194 dated 26 August 1985, "The Review of Community Radio", the Commission stressed that community radio stations must offer a diversified and balanced selection of music. The Commission noted that, in general, these stations tend to be operated in a Group IV format, that they should use most, if not all, of the subcategories in category 5 (Music -General), and that they should offer a broad range of traditional and special interest music (category 6).
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In reviewing the community radio licence renewal applications that were considered at the July 1988 hearing, the Commission noted a tendency by many licensees to offer programming that very closely resembled that provided by Group I FM stations, making it difficult for such stations to achieve the musical diversity sought by the Commission. Accordingly, the Commission will, in general, no longer allow community radio stations authorized to operate within the Group IV musical format to devote more than 50% of all music broadcast (that is, the total of their category 5 and category 6 music) to any one music subcategory. The Commission also expects the maximum repeat factor for musical selections to be kept as low as possible.
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In view of the above, the Commission requires the licensee to submit, within 60 days of the date of this decision, a revised Promise of Performance that reflects this clarification of Commission policy with respect to the musical diversity of community radio stations.
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Moreover, in accordance with the policy on musical diversity, the Commission denies the licensee's request to eliminate the two hours of traditional and special interest music it currently broadcasts.
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The Commission approves the licensee's proposal to reduce the amount of local programming broadcast from 126 hours to 78 hours weekly. The Commission considers that 78 hours of local programming is an acceptable level and that the reduction should assist the licensee to meet the Commission's requirements and the commitments set out in its new Promise of Performance.
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The Commission also approves the proposal to eliminate the rebroadcasting of 42 hours per week of programming originating from CHRC Quebec City and to add the rebroadcasting of 78 hours per week of programming from CITE-FM Montreal. The Commission considers that the rebroadcasting of programs originating from another source will complement local broadcasts, particularly given Fermont's isolation. The Commission also approves a reduction in the amount of commercial-free programs from 20 hours to 9 hours weekly. It considers 9 hours to be sufficient given the reduction in the level of local programming.
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As another matter, the Commission notes that the licensee was unable to submit logger tapes for the week of 13 to 19 September 1987, and that the tapes for the week of 15 to 21 November 1987 were incomplete.
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In this regard, under subsections 8(5) and 8(6) of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the regulations) licensees are required to retain and furnish to the Commission upon request "a clear and intelligible tape recording or other exact copy of all matter broadcast" for a period of at least four weeks from the date of broadcast. The Commission reminds the licensee of the importance of meeting these requirements and expects it to submit a report to the Commission within 60 days from the date of this decision, confirming that the proper equipment is in place, operating and capable of meeting the regulatory requirements.
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In terms of Canadian talent support, the Commission notes that the licensee plans to promote Canadian music on the air and at major community events, but has not allocated any funds for this purpose. The Commission encourages the licensee to increase its efforts to promote and develop Canadian talent.
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The Commission has also noted the written intervention submitted by the Association des radiodiffuseurs communautaires du Québec in support of CFMF-FM's licence renewal.
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It is a condition of licence that the licensee not broadcast more than 250 minutes of advertising per day and 1,500 minutes per week, in accordance with the community radio policy for Type A stations.
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The licence is also subject to the condition that the licensee adhere to the CAB's self-regulatory guidelines on sex-role stereotyping, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
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Fernand Bélisle
Secretary General
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