GATINEAU – Thanks to complaints that some channels up for addition to the eligible satellite list in Canada offer nothing but Communist propaganda, the CRTC has re-opened a public proceeding to gather additional evidence.
Rogers Cable has faced complaints and some small protests after sponsoring the addition of nine new Chinese channels to the eligible satellite list for digital distribution in Canada.
The now-defunct Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association had made the original application (Rogers Cable took over sponsorship after the organization closed) and described the channels as general interest fare. "Based on supporting information provided by the CCTA, the Commission noted further that the services originate in mainland China and are operated by China International Television Corporation (CITVC), which is a state-owned corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Central Television (CCTV)," notes Friday’s public notice.
The Commission received close to 400 individual comments in response to the public notice, both supporting and opposing the nine services, as well as numerous form letters and petitions.
While the original comments deadline was January 16, the Commission received a letter from China Insight Research Society on February 27th, urging it to hold a public hearing. "In support of its request, China Insight Research Society noted that the comment period fell during the federal election and over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Further, China Insight Research Society considered that the replies from the CCTA and CITVC ‘trivialized’ human rights violations in China and ‘the roles the TV services played in these violations.’ China Insight Research Society submitted that the CCTA and CITVC also avoided key evidence showing the use of abusive and hate-inciting language in programs aired on these channels. China Insight Research Society considered that a public hearing would help to clarify the facts," says the PN.
The Commission then later received additional requests for a public hearing from other organizations.
"Finally, by letter dated 6 March 2006, the Commission received a request for an oral public hearing from Mr. Bill Siksay, Member of Parliament for Burnaby-Douglas. Mr. Siksay noted, among other things, that all nine services are fully state controlled, and that serious concerns have been raised about Chinese media, in particular the Xinhua News Agency, which Mr. Siksay understood to be the major news source for the services that are the subject of the request," says the Commission.
Now, while there were many complaints, there was precious little evidence provided to the Commission to back up the claims these groups made. "(T)he parties requesting that the Commission conduct further process provided little or no evidence to substantiate their concerns," noted the PN.
However, due to the nature of the complaints, the re-opening of the record seemed to be the thing to do, says the Commission.
Evidence (such as tapes or transcripts or other backing material, translated to English) is now due May 3rd.
