TORONTO – Canadian Jewish groups have indicated to the CRTC that they will not oppose making the English version of the Al Jazeera available to Canadians.
CRTC Ontario commissioner Rita Cugini noted that fact in a speech this weekend at the RTNDA ProDev day in Toronto.
The public consultation ended June 8 and sponsor Ethnic Channels Group filed its final reply to the Regulator on June 22.
“Among the submissions we received was one from B’nai Brith Canada, whose representatives had met with Tony Burman, Managing Director of Al Jazeera English (and former head of CBC News). They expressed to him their concern over the possible content of the applicant’s broadcasts, and they negotiated with him the launch of an inaugural Consultative Committee. Through that committee B’nai Brith and the Canadian Jewish Congress would monitor that broadcasting content,” noted Cugini.
(Burman made his pitch in person to the media and other community leaders back in February.)
“Given this agreement, B’nai Brith will not oppose the Al Jazeera English application before the Commission at this time," said Cugini.
The Commission has already approved Al Jazeera’s much more controversial Arabic language channel for carriage in Canada – but BDUs can only offer it if they employ Arabic speaking censors 24/7, so no one has launched it.
A decision on Al Jazeera English is expected in July.
– Greg O’Brien
