GATINEAU – Will there be a new ISP levy to support Canadian content on the web? Will the hands-off approach the CRTC has maintained when it comes to the Internet and wireless networks remain? Does the Commission need to do more to promote, or make Canadian content on the web more visible? Do the walled garden wireless nets need to be pried open?
These and a number of other questions will be answered today when the CRTC releases its report on broadcasting in new media, less than three months after wrapping the three-week-long hearing which ended March 11.
Cartt.ca learned late Wednesday that today’s the day for the report – and we’re not sure what it’s going to say, but given that CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein said to open the hearing in February that “(t)he purpose of this hearing is to gain a better understanding of the new media environment. We must respect the principles of openness and individual choice that govern the Internet while maintaining access to, and for, Canadian stories, opinions and ideas,” we’re not expecting any major shift in policy this morning.
Plus, one of the questions heading into the hearing was whether or not any new money was needed to incent the creation of Cancon on the web but the announcement of the new Canadian Media Fund – smack in the middle of the hearing – might have taken care of that portion of the Commission’s new media concerns.
Then again, as we noted during the proceeding, the idea of an ISP levy that would be diverted to the production of Canadian content online got a lot of air time.
Click here, here, here, here, here, here, and here, for some of our coverage from the winter proceedings.
– Greg O’Brien
