Majority backs public funding for CBC, poll finds

[Smallc]

Of course they fit. How has the world changed in a way that makes it no longer valuable to have a source of information that isnt generated based on a corporate perspective?

The world is becoming a more connected place. Television and terrestrial radio based media are using relevance. I don't support this anymore, and I doubt that most Canadians do when they're presented with actual situations that exist.

[Michael Hardner]

On the other hand, CBC is an secure, lifetime tenured employment haven for thousands of substandard actors, producers, directors etc.

What would they do without CBC? There are only so many positions in the private sector for talentless artists. Well, none really.

So it is with union members who work for CTV and other private networks. And CBC often employs independent companies which are non-union to produce content for them.

If you think the CBC is entirely talentless, I can see why you don't want to support them but most Canadians are happy with the service.

[Smallc]

If you think the CBC is entirely talentless, I can see why you don't want to support them but most Canadians are happy with the service.

So they say, but do they use it?

[Michael Hardner]

So they say, but do they use it?

Maybe it's like insurance ? You want it to be there in case you need it ! Cultural Insurance !

I may be interested in figure skating NHL stars some day, so I want that network there as a kind of life raft.

[Smallc]

Maybe it's like insurance ? You want it to be there in case you need it ! Cultural Insurance !

I may be interested in figure skating NHL stars some day, so I want that network there as a kind of life raft.

This somehow assumes that the CBC a ) promotes relevant Canadian culture, and b ) is necessary to the survival of Canadian culture.

The Canadian media fund, IMO, is far more important.

[Michael Hardner]

This somehow assumes that the CBC a ) promotes relevant Canadian culture, and b ) is necessary to the survival of Canadian culture.

The Canadian media fund, IMO, is far more important.

The CBC is supposed to promote Canadian culture, isn't it ? Isn't that part of its mandate ?

[cybercoma]

And the majority of people would think giving every Canadian a $10,000 cheque is good spending too. Doesn't mean we should borrow $350 billion from China to make it happen. Most individuals are ill-equipped to participate in national economic decision-making.

When most people disagree with you that doesn't mean they're ill-equipped.

[Smallc]

The CBC is supposed to promote Canadian culture, isn't it ? Isn't that part of its mandate ?

Sure, it's supposed to.

Does it? In some cases, yes. In some cases, no.

Can Canadian culture exist without the CBC? Yes, it does, and it does it very well.

[Michael Hardner]

Can Canadian culture exist without the CBC? Yes, it does, and it does it very well.

Can it thrive without the CBC though ? Not sure about that one. It seems that you also want to promote Canadian culture, so give us your ideas !

[Smallc]

Can it thrive without the CBC though ? Not sure about that one. It seems that you also want to promote Canadian culture, so give us your ideas !

I've already said, if you want to promote Canadian culture with government money, do it through an expanded Canadian Media Fund. Canadian culture exists in communities throughout this country, often in the absence of the eyes, ears, and broadcasts of the CBC.

[dre]

The world is becoming a more connected place. Television and terrestrial radio based media are using relevance. I don't support this anymore, and I doubt that most Canadians do when they're presented with actual situations that exist.

If the way that people want to consume information changes then both public and private broadcasters should change with it. I think CBC already has a lot of contact on the web. But the fact that the world is more "connected" now does not change what makes public broadcasting valuable.

[Smallc]

does not change what makes public broadcasting valuable.

But does it have to be funded by the government? The CBC gets money, no matter what. Shouldn't it have to appeal to some kind of audience? Shouldn't the public be funding a public broadcaster of their own volition?

I used to be supportive of the CBC, but I just don't see a purpose for it in its current form anymore.

[cybercoma]

Do they? And is that mandate still relevant today? Why should Canadian being using their tax money to support something that most of the could care less about, something that is actually costing private sector businesses doing the same work, money?

Most of you live in major cities that could easily support local news on a privatized platform. However, many Canadians don't live near major cities and would still like to get local news even if the stations are not viable in a free market.

[Smallc]

Most of you live in major cities that could easily support local news on a privatized platform. However, many Canadians don't live near major cities and would still like to get local news even if the stations are not viable in a free market.

I don't live in a city, first of all, and second of all, the nearest CBC presence, other than the weather, is either 3 hours south, or for half an hour a day, 8 hours north. How is that relevant to me? It's relevant to people in Winnipeg and Thompson, but generally, no one else in Manitoba.

That said, there is a government supported first nation's radio station 10 mins away, and a private station in a small city 1 hour away.

Edited November 16, 2011 by Smallc

[cybercoma]

Wow, where to start?

Let us imagine that two TV networks are approaching the same advertiser for their business. #1 says: I'll put you on primetime for $50k per spot, even though my production costs demand that I charge $75k to break even. It is not a problem because I am backstopped to the tune of $1 billion plus annually and don't really have to account for much of it, citing 'privacy' and 'revealing proprietary business models'.

#2 says I'll charge you $60k per primetime spot because my production costs are $50k per spot and I cannot afford to operate at a loss because I have no financial backstop.

So of course CBC is #1, and they cost you twice: first because you have proudly backstopped that loss via taxes every year, and secondly because there is no incentive to keep costs low , reduce the $1 billion subsidy and actually do anything efficently.

Even better, the country is filled with apologists for CBC, they rarely even have to defend their actions since so many others are eager to do it for them.

We should fund the CBC more, so they don't have to sell advertising at all.

Problem solved.

[Smallc]

We should fund the CBC more, so they don't have to sell advertising at all.

At the expense of what other program? Where is the $500 - 600M (at least) going to come from?

[cybercoma]

At the expense of what other program? Where is the $500 - 600M (at least) going to come from?

Putting the GST back up.

[dre]

But does it have to be funded by the government? The CBC gets money, no matter what. Shouldn't it have to appeal to some kind of audience? Shouldn't the public be funding a public broadcaster of their own volition?

I used to be supportive of the CBC, but I just don't see a purpose for it in its current form anymore.

Thats ok. Sometimes in a country like Canada you will find yourself at odds with public policy. Most people support public funding, and I have absolutely no problem seeing the value in having organizations like the CBC, BBC, PBS, etc.

I have to eat crow and allow my tax dollars to be spent on ALL KINDS OF THINGS that I completely disagree with. Things that cost a hell of a lot more than a billion dollars.

[cybercoma]

Putting the GST back up.

Oh and cutting about half of the absurd tax credits, which would also help simplify our increasingly convoluted tax system.

[Smallc]

Thats ok. Sometimes in a country like Canada you will find yourself at odds with public policy. Most people support public funding, and I have absolutely no problem seeing the value in having organizations like the CBC, BBC, PBS, etc.

The BBC has a different (and equally ridiculous) funding model, as does PBS. As I've said, many Canadian say they support the CBC, but do their actions match that?

No, in fact they don't.

I have to eat crow and allow my tax dollars to be spent on ALL KINDS OF THINGS that I completely disagree with. Things that cost a hell of a lot more than a billion dollars.

I see, so you're saying I should just not care? I do.

[Smallc]

Putting the GST back up.

Why? Now put that to the Canadian public, and see if they support it.

[Smallc]

Oh and cutting about half of the absurd tax credits, which would also help simplify our increasingly convoluted tax system.

Sure, get rid of some of the tax credits, I agree.

[cybercoma]

Why? Now put that to the Canadian public, and see if they support it.

They don't get a say.

I mentioned this just now in the CWB thread, but the CBC has an archive that documents our history. I don't think the same can be said of CTV or Global.

http://archives.cbc.ca/

Edited November 16, 2011 by cybercoma

[Smallc]

They don't get a say.

I was simply saying that if you're using the justification that Canadians support the CBC, to say that we should raise the GST to pay for the CBC, maybe someone should check with Canadians.

[Smallc]

I mentioned this just now in the CWB thread, but the CBC has an archive that documents our history. I don't think the same can be said of CTV or Global.

So does the Library and Archives of Canada.