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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2008-24 |
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Ottawa, 6 February 2008 |
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Sidney E. Dolson
Muncey, Ontario |
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Application 2007-1073-2, received 20 July 2007
Public Hearing in London, Ontario
10 December 2007 |
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Low-power Type B Native FM radio station in Muncey |
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The Commission denies the application by Sidney E. Dolson for a broadcasting licence to operate a predominantly English-language, low-power Type B Native FM radio programming undertaking in Muncey, Ontario. |
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The application |
| 1. |
The Commission received an application by Sidney E. Dolson for a broadcasting licence to operate a predominantly English-language, low-power Type B Native FM radio programming undertaking in Muncey. The proposed station would operate on frequency 88.5 MHz (channel 203LP) with an effective radiated power of 50 watts. |
| 2. |
The applicant indicated that the proposed station would offer 77 hours of programming per broadcast week, of which 69 hours would be in the English language and 8 hours in the Chippewa, Delaware and Oneida languages. The broadcast day would start at 1 p.m. and conclude at midnight. All of the station's programming would be locally produced. The applicant proposed to broadcast news, public affairs, educational and children/youth oriented programming as well as pop, rock, dance, country and blues/funk music. |
| 3. |
The applicant stated that a minimum of 10% of the weekly broadcasts would be devoted to Aboriginal-language programming. The station would be situated on a reserve and would reflect the local community. Aboriginal musical talent would be supported through the broadcast of three or four off-site open-air concerts annually. The applicant proposed to recruit and choose the musical acts to perform at the concerts and to be aired on the station. |
| 4. |
The Commission did not receive any interventions in connection with this application. |
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Commission's analysis and determination |
5. |
The Commission's policy on Native undertakings is set out in Native broadcasting policy, Public Notice CRTC 1990-89, 20 September 1990. In that public notice, the Commission defined a Native undertaking in part as one that is "owned and controlled by a non-profit organization whose structure provides for board membership by the native population of the region served." In his application, Sidney E. Dolson indicated that the proposed station would be owned and operated solely by himself. Furthermore, the applicant did not indicate that a board of directors and officers would be established once the licence was granted. Therefore, the Commission has determined that the applicant is ineligible to hold a licence to operate a Type B Native radio undertaking. |
6. |
Further, with respect to the station's programming plans, the Commission notes that the applicant provided very little details and remained vague in his responses to the Commission's queries. Given the fact that no details were provided regarding the staff to be employed to produce the 77 hours of local weekly programming, the Commission is concerned that financial and human resources may not be adequate to meet the station's proposed commitments to local and spoken word programming. |
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In light of the above, the Commission denies the application by Sidney E. Dolson for a broadcasting licence to operate a predominantly English-language, low-power Type B Native FM radio programming undertaking in Muncey. |
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The Commission acknowledges that the Broadcasting Act calls for the provision of programming reflective of Canada's aboriginal cultures and that the participation of aboriginal people benefits the Canadian broadcasting system. As such, the Commission encourages the applicant to establish a board of directors and to submit a new application and revised business plan that will have addressed the Commission's concerns. |
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Secretary General |