TORONTO – The Radio-Television News Directors Association has waded in to the debate on local television.
Saying that it is “impossible for RTNDA Canada to remain silent in the face of growing concerns about the future of broadcast journalism in this country”, the organization issued a statement Thursday urging “all stakeholders to recognize the importance of local television.”
“RTNDA members believe local news is critically important to Canadians”, the statement read. “Local news has intrinsic value beyond what it may generate in terms of revenue. Local news is about telling Canadians what is going on in their community. While there are various and emerging methods of delivering news, no one can dispute that local television remains one of the most influential. We believe that it is worth preserving, particularly in smaller and medium sized communities where fewer alternatives exist.”
The group also calls on the CRTC and the government “to find ways to ensure that this critical voice for Canadians remains strong and clear”.
