CRTC must listen to Canadians, not just Broadcasters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2009

TORONTO. The CRTC said today it would issue one-year licence renewals to
permit hearings in 2010 on how television broadcasters serve Canadians.

The announcement poses an immediate threat to Local programming in Canada
and should raise fears across the country about the future of free, over-the-air television after the conversion to digital delivery in 2011.

"We know that broadcasters have had an unprecedented number of closed-door
meetings with the CRTC," said Lise Lareau, president of The Canadian Media
Guild, which represents workers at a number of broadcasters, including the
CBC.

"Our concern is that this fast-tracking of the process is going to
circumvent real discussion about the future of local programming and over-
the-air television. Broadcasters have been using a weak economy to seek
permanent changes to their obligations to Canadians."

CMG would like the CRTC to guarantee Canadians that it will seek the widest
possible input before making major permanent changes to the way broadcasters
serve the public.

To read the CRTC announcement, visit
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-70.htm .

For more information, please contact Lise Lareau ([email protected]) or Karen
Wirsig ([email protected]) at 416-591-5333. Visit www.cmg.ca .