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Public Notice
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Ottawa, 11 October 1991
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Public Notice CRTC 1991-109
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Revised CBC Guidelines on Sex-Role Portrayal
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In Public Notice CRTC 1990-99 dated 26 October 1990, the Commission requested the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to review its internal policy statement on sex-role stereotyping which had been in place since 1979. The CBC's policy on the portrayal of women had been developed in response to a federal government initiative to promote the equality of women in Canadian society and to eliminate discrimination.
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In Public Notice CRTC 1990-99, the Commission announced its approval of revisions to the sex-role stereotyping guidelines applicable to the private broadcasting industry, and also stated that, in view of the CBC's scope and mandate, the Commission has always considered that the national public broadcaster should "play a strong leadership role in all matters that relate to the industry, including self-regulation".
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Revised guidelines on sex-role portrayal were approved by the CBC's Board of Directors in March 1991 and submitted to the Commission for approval. In August, the CBC suggested some minor modifications. The Revised CBC Guidelines on Sex-Role Portrayal, dated 12 August 1991 (see appendix), have been approved by the Commission and, as of today's date, replace the 1979 Policy Statement: "Portrayal of Women in CBC Programming".
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As is the case with the private sector, the Commission will consider only the guidelines themselves (and the applicable definitions) as being the CBC's guidelines on sex-role stereotyping to which adherence is required by condition of licence. In assessing compliance, the Commission will wish to be satisfied that the spirit and intent of the guidelines are being upheld. This evaluation will be made within the dramatic or informational context in which sex-role portrayal is presented.
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The Commission considers that the sections of the CBC's revised guidelines entitled Principle, Purpose, Application, Administration, and Interpretation, as well as the paragraphs of "guidance" respecting stereotypes, sexuality and language provide information that will assist the public and Corporation staff to understand the guidelines.
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The CRTC is pleased that the CBC's revisions have confirmed the Commission's statement regarding the Corporation's leadership role. In a clear and concise manner, the CBC has set out how presence, diversity, roles and balance are to be treated in all programs and commercials broadcast on CBC networks and stations. The Corporation has prohibited unjustifiable and uncalled for generalizations; decreed that verbal and visual exploitation of individuals will not be condoned; and stated that the language used by its on-air personnel must respect "the principle of equality between women and men".
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The Commission commends the CBC for its prompt and thorough response to this request and notes the Corporation's intention to implement the new guidelines immediately.
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Allan J. Darling
Secretary General
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