Friends of Canadian Broadcasting

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting is a Canadian non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and promoting public broadcasting and Canadian content across radio, television, and digital platforms. Founded by media activists and former broadcasters, the group engages with policy bodies, legislators, public broadcasters, and cultural institutions to influence broadcasting policy and funding. It interacts with a wide range of stakeholders including legislators from the House of Commons of Canada, regulators such as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, public corporations like the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and cultural organizations including the National Film Board of Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts.

History

The organization emerged amid debates over Canadian broadcasting policy involving figures from the Royal Commission on Broadcasting (1968–69), members associated with the Broadcasting Act (1991), and activists linked to provincial cultural ministries such as Ontario Ministry of Culture and Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications. Early campaigning intersected with disputes over the privatization of assets related to broadcasters like Canadian Broadcasting Corporation predecessors and commercial chains such as CHUM Limited and Canwest. Key moments include responses to regulatory decisions by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and parliamentary reviews in committees such as the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, with public letters to ministers like Heritage Minister. The group has been active during major industry restructurings involving companies like Rogers Communications, Bell Canada Enterprises, Shaw Communications, Corus Entertainment, and during crises such as the financial troubles of Canwest Global.

Mission and Activities

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting states aims aligned with protecting Canadian cultural expression represented by institutions like the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, and funding bodies such as Telefilm Canada. The group's activities include research briefings for members of the Senate of Canada and the House of Commons of Canada, submission of interventions to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, participation in consultations with the Department of Canadian Heritage, and collaboration with arts organizations such as the National Film Board of Canada and guilds like the Directors Guild of Canada. It publishes analyses referencing reports from agencies like Statistics Canada, case law from the Supreme Court of Canada, and comparative studies involving public broadcasters such as the British Broadcasting Corporation, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and NPR.

Advocacy and Campaigns

Campaigns organized by Friends of Canadian Broadcasting have aimed at issues including funding for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, protection of Canadian content rules administered by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, and the integrity of media ownership rules that affect companies like Rogers Communications, Bell Media, and Corus Entertainment. The group has lobbied during parliamentary reviews of the Broadcasting Act (1991), protested decisions by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission concerning license renewals for broadcasters such as Global Television Network and CTV Television Network, and opposed proposed acquisitions by conglomerates like BCE Inc. and Shaw Communications. It has mounted public campaigns involving artist organizations such as the Actors’ Equity Association, unions like the Canadian Media Guild, cultural commentators from outlets like The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star, and scholars from universities including the University of Toronto and McGill University.

Organizational Structure and Funding

The organization is governed by a board that has included former broadcasters, journalists, academics, and public servants with ties to institutions such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the National Film Board of Canada, and provincial arts councils like the Ontario Arts Council. Leadership collaborates with policy analysts and researchers who cite work from think tanks such as the Public Policy Forum and the Institute for Research on Public Policy. Funding sources historically include membership dues, donations from individuals, support from cultural foundations like the Canada Council for the Arts (when engaged in collaborative projects), grants from charitable foundations similar to the Atkinson Foundation or Trudeau Foundation-type organizations, and occasional partnerships with unions such as the Canadian Media Guild and professional associations like the Canadian Association of Journalists. The group maintains relationships with advocacy networks including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and environmental or cultural coalitions when interests overlap.

Impact and Criticism

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting has influenced public debates on broadcasting policy, contributing submissions to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, testimonies before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, and commentary in national media outlets such as the Globe and Mail, National Post, CBC News, and CBC/Radio-Canada programming. Supporters cite successes in raising awareness about funding for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and pressing for limits on media concentration involving corporations like Rogers Communications and Bell Media. Critics, including some commentators from Financial Post-style outlets and corporate spokespeople from entities like Bell Canada and Rogers Communications, argue the group's positions can favor legacy institutions over market innovation and question funding transparency. Academic critiques from researchers at institutions such as York University and Queen’s University have debated its policy prescriptions, and regulatory authorities like the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission have at times issued decisions contrary to the group’s recommendations. The organization continues to participate in contested policy arenas involving digital platforms like Netflix (company), Amazon (company), and discussions about cultural policy with federal bodies including the Department of Canadian Heritage and parliamentary committees.

Category:Broadcasting advocacy organizations in Canada