OTTAWA – The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. as a public broadcaster should foster democracy, and needs stable long-term funding to operate effectively, says new CBC board chairman Timothy Casgrain.
Appearing Tuesday before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, Casgrain told the committee though that CBC Television, unlike public radio, shouldn’t be totally free of advertising.
“CBC Radio doesn’t compete with Hollywood and CSI and Lost, and you the viewers make that choice,” he said. “CTV and Global are a rebroadcast of U.S. shows with different commercials – that’s what the CBC is up against. Should we come to the House [of Commons] and ask for a huge increase in funding [because there’s no ad dollars]? …If you have the rights to hockey, why would you broadcast it without commercials?”
Casgrain added there may be segments of the TV broadcast day that could be commercial-free.
The new chair quoted former BBC chair John Birt to describe his vision of a public broadcaster: “But more important than the technological innovations was the sense that Sir John Birt believes in the BBC as a civilizing and democratic force…The BBC fosters a rambunctious, vigorous and informed democracy. We strain to ensure that all voices are heard, however uncomfortable; that they are given a fair hearing, and tested.”
When asked if the CBC should incorporate being an instrument of culture and democracy into its mandate, Casgrain reiterated that the public broadcaster should move in that direction. But he said it was up to the CBC board and senior management whether or not it was incorporated into the public broadcaster’s mandate.
The MPs on the committee, however, were more preoccupied with the process by which Casgrain, who noted in his opening comments that he had no broadcast experience, was appointed.
Committee chair Gary Schellenberger repeatedly told committee members their questioning was outside the bounds of the committee session, since they were moving away from the CBC’s mandate and responsibilities to the federal government’s hiring process.
Bloc Quebecois MP Diane Bourgeois asked who from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had interviewed Casgrain for the position.
She was shut down by Schellenberger before the new CBC chair answered. Liberal MP Andy Scott, who wanted to know if Canadian Heritage was involved in the hiring process, and New Democratic Party MP Charlie Angus, questioning how long the job interview was, faced similar protests from the chair.
“I have nothing against Mr. Casgrain, but my spider sense tinkles every time I try to find out about the process,” said Angus.
Casgrain eventually said he had to complete a question and answer process, and then had a 30-minute phone interview.
The new chair said it was too early to respond to questions about how the CBC was going to maintain its position in the broadcasting system, given that it has lost not only programming dollars but also experienced editors and reporters in the regions. He added that efforts, particularly in radio, were being made to enhance regional coverage, which is being helped by technology that is more sophisticated but less expensive.
Casgrain also praised the CBC for moving toward more integration of its radio and TV divisions and its English-language and French-language sections. He also pledged to work on improving external and internal communications at the corporation.
“One thing about my experience everywhere that I’ve been, particularly troubled organizations – and I don’t consider the CBC troubled – is that it’s important to listen to the people who make up the organization,” he said.
He was also asked how the CBC would work out rights issues so that it could post shows and other content aired on the public broadcaster on the Internet.
“The CBC and Radio-Canada are online right now. The challenge is how to turn that into a revenue stream,” Casgrain noted. He added discussions were ongoing with producers on who owns the Internet rights to certain programs, and how those revenues could be shared.
The committee wrapped up its hearing by voting to spend $63,456 to go to London in mid-September to study how the BBC has dealt with new media rights, and to look at the British public broadcaster’s mandate. The findings would be used in the committee’s study of the role of the CBC in the 21st century.
Casgrain was named as CBC chair in April. He replaced Quebec playwright Guy Fournier, who resigned from the position in September 2006 after controversy erupted because he mocked the sexual habits of Lebanese in a magazine article. CBC president and CEO Robert Rabinovitch served as interim chair until Casgrain was appointed.
