TORONTO – Canadians need more time to weigh in on the licence renewals of the CBC’s various services, according to Friends of Canadian Broadcasting
The self-proclaimed independent watchdog for Canadian programming wrote an open letter to CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein on Monday asking to extend the deadline of the on-line consultation from July 18 to August 2 to allow ample time for “the first opportunity this century for Canadians to comment on the CBC’s performance under its Broadcasting Act mandate”.
“The Corporation’s statutory independence from political interference means that the Commission is uniquely placed to ensure accountability to the public on the part of the CBC’s senior leadership”, reads the letter, signed by Friends spokesperson Ian Morrison. “Offering CBC’s shareholders thirty-one days notice of such a rare and important opportunity, most of which overlaps their customary holiday season, is not sufficient lead time.”
The CRTC has not yet officially responded to the request.
