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Ottawa, 8 May 1992
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Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 1992-8
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HULL, QUEBEC
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19 OCTOBER 1992, 9:00 A.M.A REVIEW OF THE POLICY ON RELIGIOUS BROADCASTING
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The Commission hereby announces that it will hold a public hearing, commencing 19 October 1992, at the Conference Centre, Phase IV, 140 Promenade du Portage, Hull, Quebec to review its policy with respect to religious broadcasting on conventional television, AM and FM radio, and cable television.
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Background
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A public hearing into religious broadcasting was held in January 1982. Subsequently, on 2 June 1983 (Public Notice CRTC 1983-112), the Commission issued its policy on the licensing of programming undertakings whose programming was (a) primarily religious (as opposed to the carriage of religious programs on existing, general-interest stations, which had always been permitted), and (b) devoted to the views of a single religion, denomination or sect.
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In that notice, the Commission concluded that, since undertakings dedicated exclusively to the views of a particular religion, denomination or sect would, by their very nature, be predisposed toward one particular point of view, the licensing of such undertakings would be contrary to therequirements of section 3 of the former Broadcasting Act that the programming provided by the Canadian broadcasting system be varied and comprehensive, predominantly Canadian, and provide reasonable, balanced opportunity for the expression of differing views on matters of public concern. With regard to programming on matters of public concern and likely to elicit differing views, such as that dealing with religious or political subjects, the Commission has taken the view that the most appropriate and effective way to achieve balance is to require that the programming of each individual station be balanced.
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In addition to its concerns that there be balance in any programming service provided by licensees, the Commission was guided by concerns that, in many areas of the country, too few over-the-air frequencies were available to accommodate all those who might wish to obtain licences. The Commission therefore concluded that, if full-time religious programming services are to be introduced, they should be provided in a manner that ensures their accessibility by most Canadians, and not just those in areas where unused broadcasting frequencies are still available.
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In its 1983 notice, the Commission issued a call for applications for a satellite-to-cable, interfaith religious programming service. The criteria specified by the Commission for the licensing of such a service were as follows:
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* the ownership structure should be broadly representative of the religious groups in Canada, and air-time and resources should be allocated to different groups on an equitable basis.
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* the programming should be predominantly Canadian.
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* the financing structure should avoid certain unacceptable forms of solicitation used by some foreign religious broadcasters.
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* any funds raised should be used solely for support of the service.
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On this basis, the Commission subsequently approved an application by Canadian Interfaith Network (VISION TV) in Decision CRTC 87-900 dated 30 November 1987.
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Issues
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Nine years have passed since the Commission issued its policy on the licensing of religious programming undertakings, and many changes have taken place in the broadcasting environment.
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The new Broadcasting Act of 1991 also includes some alterations to the policy section (section 3), on which the Commission bases its own policies. In particular, the new legislation permits more flexibility with regard to the level of Canadian content required in certain circumstances.
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Many new specialized programming undertakings have been licensed that respond to particular programming interests. Canadians, through their purchasing choices, have indicated an interest in having specialized services available. These specialized undertakings are available via satellite to cable, thus avoiding use of scarce conventional broadcasting frequencies for their delivery. Cable distribution and linkage rules have also permitted the carriage on Canadian cable systems of a limited number of foreign satellite services.
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Technological developments have allowed steady increases in the number of channels that can be provided on Canadian cable systems. In the near future, digital compression technology should make it possible to greatly increase the capacity of both satellites and cable systems. Given that the vast majority of
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Canadians receive television service by means of cable television, this expansion of capacity might reduce considerably the Commission's former concerns about the fair allocation of scarce distribution outlets.
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Under these circumstances, given as well the requests received by the Commission from several individuals and groups from across Canada, the Commission considers that it would be timely to revisit its 1983 policy on the licensing of religious broadcasting undertakings.
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Issues the Commission would wish to address at the 19 October hearing include:
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1. The general matter of balance with respect to programming on matters of public concern:
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(a) To what extent do changes to the Broadcasting Act affect the Commission's mandate with respect to programming on matters of public concern?
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(b) Have the changes in the broadcasting environment been such that a different regulatory approach toward programming on matters of public concern is nowwarranted?
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(c) With regard to programming on matters of public concern, the Commission has required that the programming of each individual station be balanced. Should the Commission continue to require each licensee to achieve balance, or can balance be achieved on a broader basis?
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(d) If the Commission were no longer to require balance with respect to matters of public concern within the programming of an individual licensee, what practical means exist to ensure that Canadians are provided with a reasonable opportunity for exposure to differing views on such matters, as required by the Broadcasting Act?
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(e) Should different balance requirements prevail for different sectors of the Canadian broadcasting system, i.e. for programming delivered over the air by conventional television and radio, as opposed to programming delivered on a discretionary basis via cable or satellite?
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2. The particular issue of an appropriate licensing policy for religious broadcasting:
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(a) Should there be a separate policy for religious broadcasting?
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(b) How should "religious broadcasting" be defined?
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(c) What criteria should apply tothe licensing of religious broadcasting undertakings in the areas of expression of differing views, Canadian content, and funding methods?
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(d) Should the criteria for discretionary services differ from those for non-discretionary ones? If so, in what way?
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(e) What would be the impact on currently-licensed undertakings of any alteration to the Commission's policy on licensing of religious broadcasting undertakings?
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3. The matter of religious programming:
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(a) To what extent does the programming on Canadian over-the-air broadcasting undertakings reflect the religious needs and interests of Canadian audiences?
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(b) What would be an appropriate policy with respect to religious programming on conventional television, AM and FM radio, and cable undertakings?
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IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSION AND PLACED ON THE PUBLIC FILE,
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- Comments on the issues set out above should be addressed to Allan J. Darling, Secretary General, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A ON2. Please indicate if you wish to appear at the public hearing;
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- your comments must be received by the CRTC ON or BEFORE the deadline date indicated below. TheCommission cannot take into consideration, nor can it be held responsible for postal delays;
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- one may also communicate with the Commission
- by Telex: 053-4253
- by Telecopier: (819) 994-0218
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DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS:
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7 AUGUST 1992
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SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS
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PERSONS WISHING TO APPEAR AT THE HEARING AND REQUIRING SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION ARE REQUIRED TO INFORM THE COMMISSION AT LEAST TWENTY (20) DAYS BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING SO THAT THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.
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Documents referred to in this notice are available upon request by interested parties at the addresses provided below:
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Commission Headquarters
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Central Building
Les Terrasses de la Chaudière
1 Promenade du Portage, Room 201
Hull, Quebec K1A ON2
Tels: (819) 997-2429 - TDD 993-0423
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Atlantic Regional Office
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Suite 1007
Bank of Commerce Building
1809 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia BJ3 3K8
Tels: (902) 426-7997 - TDD 426-7268
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Quebec Regional Office
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Guy-Favreau Complex, East Tower
200 René-Lévesque Boulevard West
Suite 602
Montréal, Quebec H2Z LX4
Tels: (514) 283-6607 - TDD 283-8316
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Prairie Regional Office
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Suite 1810
275 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B3
Tels: (204) 983-6306 - TDD 983-8274
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Pacific and Northern Regional Office
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Suite 1380, 800 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6Z 2G7
Tels: (604) 666-2111 - TDD 666-0778
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Allan J. Darling
Secretary General
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