Banff 2019: Why embattled public broadcasters may be the media world's best defence

BANFF – Ontario Premier Doug Ford's budget released last month unleashed major cuts to TVOntario... the provincial educational broadcaster created by the venerable former Premier Bill Davis – himself a Progressive Conservative.The damage to TVO was roughly $2 million, a 4.5% cut; on top of a budget freeze since 2015 which, adjusting for inflation, leaves TVO diminished by 11%.To the south of us, President Trump proposed for the third year in a row the complete elimination of federal funding for PBS.As well, virtually all of Europe's public broadcasting services face similar challenges: Some combination of budget cuts, populist politicians, economic...