CRTC Changes Rules on Media Ownership

[jdobbin]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is tightening its rules to limit media ownership.

The changes mean any person or entity can own only two of the three different types of outlets -- radio stations, television stations or newspapers -- in a single market.

The regulator is also limiting ownership of broadcasting licences to ensure any one party does not control more than 45 per cent of the total television audience share as a result of a transaction.

"The whole thing was a great concern,'' CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein said in an interview.

"Everybody is concerned about it, because the trend is there . . . toward media concentration. On the other hand, we want to make sure there is a plurality of voices and a diversity of programming.''

The regulator also will not approve transactions between cable and satellite companies that distribute television services, which it says would result in one person effectively controlling the delivery of programming in a market.

Von Finckenstein said Tuesday's restrictions do not apply retroactively to existing media conglomerates.

While the new limits restrict ownership of the types of media owned, the rules about how many newspapers and radio and TV stations may be owned have not changed.

Companies can own:

* only one TV station per language in a single market;

* two AM and two FM radio stations in the same language in large markets;

* three radio stations, but only two per frequency band, in smaller markets.

Is there a threat in terms of media concentration?

I notice there is no mention about foreign ownership. I wonder if the Canwest deal with Goldman Sachs means that it is okay for that sort of deal.

Edited January 15, 2008 by jdobbin

[M.Dancer]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

Is there a threat in terms of media concentration?

I notice there is no mention about foreign ownership. I wonder if the Canwest deal with Goldman Sachs means that it is okay for that sort of deal.

No need to mention foriegn ownership in these changes as nothing has changed vis a vis foreign ownership.

As someone who derives a substantial part of his income from BellGlobe Media, I am always concerned with too much control by one entity over the media. The way it works, you don't have to own 100% to be a monopoly. Too much concentration is bad for the businesses that buy audience share, bad for the audience who watch/read/listen to the content (remember when the Post single handedly improved the G&M?) and bad for the employees who have their options limited by whom they can work for.