Majority backs public funding for CBC, poll finds

[Shwa]

Once again, the CPC seems to have an idea of what Canadians want:

Majority backs public funding for CBC, poll finds

The Conservative government's long-standing promise to keep the CBC's federal funding stable appears to be in tune with public opinion.

A Harris-Decima survey conducted for The Canadian Press suggests 46 per cent of Canadians would like the CBC's funding to stay at the current level and 23 per cent would like it to be increased.

On the flip side, 22 per cent say funding should be cut, while 12 per cent say it should be eliminated altogether.

Interesting demographic:

The survey found that Canadians who wanted the funding decreased or cut completely were more likely to be Conservative supporters, men, those over the age of 50 and respondents living in Alberta.

Those who were for increased funding were most likely to be from Atlantic Canada, New Democrats, and those with household incomes exceeding $100,000 annually.

Of course, it didn't stop there, despite Brian Lilley's ( ) reply, the G&M fired back nicely with a little bit of historical information. (something Lilley is allergic too)

Money can’t buy love: Why every government hates the CBC

The poll and its release by CP was immediately attacked by one of CBC’s most relentless critics, Brian Lilley of Sun News Network, a TV channel owned by Quebecor, a direct commercial competitor to CBC/Radio-Canada. As the Sun News site summarized a video of Lilley’s attack, “Brian Lilley looks at why a CP poll showing most people support the CBC is riddled with hidden bias and self-interest.”

And what, pray tell, is all this hidden bias and self-interest from a respected polling firm? According to Lilley, “Most people don’t know how much the CBC gets.” This makes the poll dubious, he says. But that’s not all. On TV he attacked The Globe’s story about the poll on the basis that the story came from “The Globe-owned CP.” Which is odd. Canadian Press Enterprises is now a for-profit national news-gathering agency with joint investment from The Globe and Mail, Torstar and the parent company of La Presse.

This belief also extends to the issue at the heart of the battle over the CBC. It is always assumed, by any government, that because the CBC receives public funding, it is beholden to the government of the day. Scrutiny by a body that receives public funding, via the government, is deeply resented. There is a base political presumption that a public broadcaster should not scrutinize the doings of a government. Money buys you love is the central belief.

There is nothing unique about this Conservative government’s loathing for the CBC and the hatred directed at CBC by Conservative MPs and their supporters. The latter approach the CBC the way the zombies on The Walking Dead approach the living characters – hungry for blood. But it was a Liberal government that wreaked the greatest havoc on the CBC’s funding. First, remember, the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney cut CBC funding, promising that it was a temporary measure. But then the Liberal government of Jean Chrétien, after promising stable long-term funding, cut more than $350-million from the CBC’s operating budget in 1995.

[Michael Hardner]

You don't believe in history, but you believe polls ? Ok.

[Michael Hardner]

Well, I'm surprised but pleasantly so. I think that as long as we have countries, a country in Canada's situation needs to support our culture. They have scored some hits on CBC TV and CBC Radio Three is amazing.

[olp1fan]

2/3rds of Canadians lean to the left so it doesn't surprise me that we oppose the dismantling of the cbc

[Smallc]

2/3rds of Canadians lean to the left so it doesn't surprise me that we oppose the dismantling of the cbc

Well, then what if the government promised to take the money from the CBC and spend it on public transit and improved intercity rail?

[WWWTT]

Well, then what if the government promised to take the money from the CBC and spend it on public transit and improved intercity rail?

I would believe the government and never question the government.

If the government says that they will do this then they will do this.

We all must believe the government.

The government knows what they are doing and we must never question them.

WWWTT

[MiddleClassCentrist]

The CBC is mostly positive. Their reporting is mostly balanced and rational. Not perfect but, nothing is.

Now... if any money is going to Sun Media, that needs to be stopped. Biased news all the time? Not on my dime!

Edited November 15, 2011 by MiddleClassCentrist

[ironstone]

I would like to know if in this particular poll,they mentioned just how much the CBC receives each year.I seem to recall some kind of poll in the Sun a few weeks ago that indicated that the majority of those questioned,had no idea just how much money the CBC gets.

I don't think we need the CBC,and if we are forced to fund them,they should be required to open their books.

[MiddleClassCentrist]

I would like to know if in this particular poll,they mentioned just how much the CBC receives each year.I seem to recall some kind of poll in the Sun a few weeks ago that indicated that the majority of those questioned,had no idea just how much money the CBC gets.

I don't think we need the CBC,and if we are forced to fund them,they should be required to open their books.

The problem being that any poll done by Sun is intended to be biased on their part and it will only be reported if/when they get results in favour of their agenda. I got a call from a poll done by Sun once... They couldn't pronounce McGuinty... they said "McGuilty"

Edited November 15, 2011 by MiddleClassCentrist

[Moonlight Graham]

The problem being that any poll done by Sun is intended to be biased on their part and it will only be reported if/when they get results in favour of their agenda.

Classic polling trick!

[wyly]

Well, then what if the government promised to take the money from the CBC and spend it on public transit and improved intercity rail?

what if the government promised to take the money from jets and submarines and spend it on public transit and improved intercity rail?

[Smallc]

The left already supports that. I was giving a possible scenario where they would also support cutting the CBC

[WWWTT]

The left already supports that. I was giving a possible scenario where they would also support cutting the CBC

I believe that the left would support some cuttbacks to the CBC.After all money is tight rightnow.

But wyly makes a good point!

Aswell there are Harpers huge cabinet positions and record staff numbers.

Harpers crime bills.

Corporate tax cuts or what I like to call "using steroids in the race to the bottom"

WWWTT

[Boges]

I'm always annoyed that polls of 1,000 people are an accurate reflection of the opinions of a nation of 31 billion.

[Michael Hardner]

31million. And it's a fact, as far as the certainty threshold goes... this is why election polls are accurate.

[Smallc]

Well, to be really technical, over 34M people live in Canada.

[fellowtraveller]

A reason that Albertans in general support cutting subsidy to the CBC is the ongoing example of CKUA

It is an excellent province-wide network supported by listener subscription and heavily supported in turn by the arts community.

It is the direction that CBC should be headed.

It is an example of listeners and supporters putting their money where their mouths are- unlike CBC.

[Shwa]

You don't believe in history, but you believe polls ? Ok.

Who said I "don't believe in history?" I didn't. Are you reading into something that isn't there Michael?

[Shwa]

A reason that Albertans in general support cutting subsidy to the CBC is the ongoing example of CKUA

It is an excellent province-wide network supported by listener subscription and heavily supported in turn by the arts community.

It is the direction that CBC should be headed.

It is an example of listeners and supporters putting their money where their mouths are- unlike CBC.

Ontario has TV Ontario, same sort of setup as PBS, but provincially focused. They even showed 'Doctor Who' before it was cool. Bunch of hipsters. However, the CBC is regionally focused with a national mandate. No provincial station could do that very well.

[Michael Hardner]

Who said I "don't believe in history?" I didn't. Are you reading into something that isn't there Michael?

I'm trying to figure out what kinds of information you pay attention to. On the other thread, you basically discounted historical theory by stating that historians will provide evidence to suit their thesis - although it's hard to imagine why anybody would provide evidence to counter their thesis.

[Shwa]

I would like to know if in this particular poll,they mentioned just how much the CBC receives each year.I seem to recall some kind of poll in the Sun a few weeks ago that indicated that the majority of those questioned,had no idea just how much money the CBC gets.

I don't think we need the CBC,and if we are forced to fund them,they should be required to open their books.

Their books are "open" like any other reporting government agency or department (well, except for CSIS) and does it really matter if people know what is given to them? Even if they don't know, they STILL said the same levels or more. That indicates they are perhaps looking at the quality and see a lacking.

[wyly]

A reason that Albertans in general support cutting subsidy to the CBC is the ongoing example of CKUA

It is an excellent province-wide network supported by listener subscription and heavily supported in turn by the arts community.

It is the direction that CBC should be headed.

It is an example of listeners and supporters putting their money where their mouths are- unlike CBC.

ckua, what a fantasy...lucky if 1% of albertans have even heard of it or even care...

[The_Squid]

ckua, what a fantasy...lucky if 1% of albertans have even heard of it or even care...

CKUA can't make it on their own.... they are seeking funding from the city (i.e. taxpayers).

CKUA dials in on city funds to help pay for relocation

[cybercoma]

I'm always annoyed that polls of 1,000 people are an accurate reflection of the opinions of a nation of 31 billion.

I can see how not understanding statistics would be pretty annoying. Edited November 15, 2011 by cybercoma

[Shwa]

I can see how not understanding statistics would be pretty annoying.

Oh, you edited that just in time! I was going to make a joke about static shocks and wool socks.