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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-487
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Ottawa, 1 October 2003
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Radio Maria Canada
Across Canada
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Application 2002-0941-2
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
26 May 2003
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Radio Maria - Specialty audio service
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In this decision, the Commission approves the operation of a new, Italian- and English-language, ethnic, single-faith religious specialty audio service.
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The application
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1.
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The Commission received an application by Radio Maria Canada (Radio Maria), for a broadcasting licence to operate an Italian- and English-language, ethnic, single-faith religious specialty audio service to be known as Radio Maria.
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2.
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The applicant proposed a programming service that would be directed to Italian-Canadian Roman Catholics and would be available for national distribution by broadcasting distribution undertakings.
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3.
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The Commission received 321 letters from interested parties intervening in support of the application, and one intervention in comment. With respect to the comment by Inner City Films and the concerns it raised on the subject of cultural diversity, the Commission notes the intervener's desire to see an "opening up [of] a new dialogue on diversity."
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4.
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Based on its examination of this application, the Commission is satisfied that it is in conformity with all applicable terms and conditions announced in New licensing framework for specialty audio programming services, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2002-53, 12 September 2002. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Radio Maria for a licence to operate the programming service of the same name.
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Issuance of the licence
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5.
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The Commission will issue a licence once the applicant has satisfied the Commission, with supporting documentation, that the following requirements have been met:
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- the applicant has entered into a distribution agreement with at least one licensed distributor; and
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- 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 of the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 1 October 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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6.
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The licence will expire 31 August 2010 and will be subject to the conditions of licence set out in the appendix to this decision.
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Other matters
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7.
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The Commission notes that Radio Maria has an internal Code of Ethics that outlines requirements with respect to the conduct of open-line programs. These requirements address the Commission's concerns regarding abusive comments and high standards in programming.
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8.
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In accordance with Implementation of an employment equity policy, Public Notice CRTC 1992-59, 1 September 1992, the Commission encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.
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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: www.crtc.gc.ca
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Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-487
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Conditions of licence
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1. (a) The licensee shall provide a national, ethnic, religious, specialty audio programming service directed to Italian-Canadian Roman Catholics over the age of 40. The service shall consist predominantly of spoken word programming, of which a minimum of 98% shall be in Italian, with the remainder in English. A minimum of 15% of the programming offered in each broadcast week shall be produced in Canada.
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(b) The licensee is authorized for distribution only where the service is not packaged in such a way that subscribers are obligated to purchase it in order to purchase any other programming service.
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2. The licensee shall adhere to the policy requirements stipulated in Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993.
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3. The licensee shall adhere to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' (CAB) Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children and to the CAB's Sex-Role Portrayal Code for Television and Radio Programming, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
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4. The licensee shall adhere to sections 2.2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9(2) of the Radio Regulations, 1986.
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5. The licensee shall adhere to the Broadcasting Licence Fee Regulations, 1997 if its revenues derived from broadcasting activities exceed the threshold amount of $2 million.
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For the purposes of the conditions of this licence, broadcast day shall have the same meaning as that set out in section 2 of the Radio Regulations, 1986.
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Date Modified: 2003-10-01
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