Petition to save the CBC
Posted by brent on 27/03/2009
Canada’s media networks have all been affected by the recession. While the private companies CTV and Canwest are rumored to be in consideration for federal bailout loans, the public CBC has been denied bridging loans from the government. The CBC’s role as a public broadcaster is to showcase Canadian stories and voices. It is facing a budget shortfall of approximately $171 million.
They are now being forced to drastically cut 800 staff (393 at the CBC, 336 at Radio-Canada, and 70 corporate positions) – about 10% of their workforce. Vice president of English Services Richard Stursberg said twenty percent of the cuts will be borne by regional services and the remainder by the network. Television will feel the cuts more acutely than radio, which will continue broadcasting without commercials.
According to the Toronto Star:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper expressed his concern for the looming job losses but was silent on opposition demands to provide bridge financing to enable the CBC to weather the financial storm — and avoid the cuts.
“Obviously, broadcasters, both public and private, are having difficulties. It is a terrible thing when someone loses a job. We will obviously be monitoring the decisions of the board very carefully to make sure that it respects CBC’s mandate and treats its employees fairly,” Harper told the Commons.
But that failed to satisfy opposition critics who accused the Tories of using the economic downturn as an excuse to gut the CBC.
“It didn’t have to be this way. There was a plan in place that wouldn’t have cost the taxpayers any money. ….. These cuts are strictly ideological,” said NDP MP Charlie Angus, his party’s heritage critic.
Avaaz.org has started a petition that reads:
Petition to Prime Minister Stephen Harper: The CBC is a national treasure, and plays a vital role in our culture. We urgently call on you to grant the CBC’s request for a bridge loan to cover its budget shortfall this year, and commit your government to supporting our public broadcaster.
You can sign the petition and send it to friends/family here. More news at the Globe & Mail.
Top Weekly Canadian News ~ 28/03/09 « made in Canada said
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Mike said
Companies go under all the time. If they are such a national treasure why doesn’t a private citizen give them a lone? I think there needs to be some accountability in corporations, who shouldn’t rely on taxpayer dollars to keep their business afloat.
Derek said
This isnt a heath care plan, UI or CPP. Its a television company. It should generate a profit. It doesnt, because the CBC is pathetically run and their employees are too numerous and overpaid. If people realy cared about the CBC they would watch it, and CBC wouldnt be losing so much money because their advertising revenue would be higher. In short, the CBC should trim the fat and/or improve their programming.