The CRTC didn't change the rules, there is a new station license being applied for, which follows a different format.
So basically if I put up money to start a Christian radio station you think it is right that the government should say I have to put programming for other religions on there?
Why can't the person putting up the cash put on the programs he wants? What about the rights to govern your own private property?
Basically this means that the Christian Radio station can no longer be a Christian Radio station. And henceforth if this policy is enacted across the board there can be no such thing in Canada. You think this is right?
I don't think it is 100% right for the government to regulate in this manner, and believe me I see your points, but I think that when you take into account the fact that the radio spectrum is owned by the Canadian public allowances have to be made for the wide range of people within the public. Given that it is a public resource, and fairly limited in capacity, with an extremely high barrier to entry, I think they are doing an acceptable job of regulation.
Do you think a completely free-market solution would result in a wider representation of Canadian opinion?
I think part of our conflict comes from other ideologies, you may believe that a "pure" Christian radio station is of the greatest benefit to Canadians, while I believe that more good is done by offering a wider range of views.
American content is emphatically NOT weeded out entirely by the CRTC, they do require that a minimum percentage of Canadian content is aired on each station, with the most stringent requirements placed on the CBC, that it should air predominantly Canadian Content.
If we went to an entirely free-market system I believe we would quickly see most Canadian content disappear and be replaced by cheaper ready-made American productions. How would you feel about that?
The religious music station was only required 30 minutes a day of other religions....hardly onerous persecution.