CRTC Drops Plans to Amend Provisions Against False and Misleading News

The CRTC has officially dropped plans to amend provisions against spreading false and misleading news. Current broadcast regulations in Canada prohibit television and radio broadcasters from spreading information that is false or misleading. In January this year an amendment was proposed to water down the law and prohibit the broadcast of false and misleading news only when it is likely to cause harm to the health and safety of the public.

The CRTC has officially dropped plans to amend provisions against spreading false and misleading news.

Current broadcast regulations in Canada prohibit television and radio broadcasters from spreading information that is false or misleading. In January this year an amendment was proposed to water down the law and prohibit the broadcast of false and misleading news only when it is likely to cause harm to the health and safety of the public.

Public reaction to this proposal was swift and overwhelmingly negative. As a result the CRTC quietly dropped the amendment in February.

Still, the official announcement has been greeted with mixed reviews. Charlie Angus, NDP critic for Canadian Heritage points out that allegations of false or misleading news will only be investigated if they are "flagrant," calling into question which complaints would actually be investigated.

Read more about the decision at Broadcaster

You can read more background about the lead-up to this decision here.