By Connie Thiessen
A group of Canadian news publishers has come together to file legal action against OpenAI, alleging its content is being used to develop products like generative artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT.
CBC/Radio-Canada, The Canadian Press, Torstar, Postmedia, and The Globe and Mail released a joint statement Friday morning following the filing of their copyright infringement suit in Ontario Superior Court, which maintains that Delaware-based OpenAI is “unjustly enriching themselves” at the expense of the news media companies.
The suit’s statement of claim says in order for OpenAI to obtain the significant quantities of text data needed to develop their GPT…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
Apple and Samsung, the two largest smartphone manufacturers in the world, are expressing befuddlement that the Quebec Court of Appeal would uphold the authorization of a class of plaintiffs to take the companies to court for punitive damages for what they describe as unfounded claims of health-related harm associated with the emissions of radio frequencies (RF) from cellphones.
The class authorization, which the companies are calling a first in Canada, creates a disastrous precedent involving the approval of classes seeking damages for mere allegations of an intentional violation of Quebec’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA) with no harm claimed,…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
A paper petition calling on the federal government to prop up local radio and television news after a string of layoffs in the industry has been presented to the House of Commons on Wednesday.
The petition, which was carried by Kingston Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen, is asking that government to extend the Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit to include radio and television; dedicate 70 per cent of federal government advertising dollars on local radio, TV, print and digital media; and eliminate tax-deductions for advertising purchased on foreign-owned, internet-delivered media sites and services.
“The abrupt departures of radio and television…
Continue Reading
CBC/Radio-Canada announced Tuesday that it is investing more in local and regional news coverage after the CRTC approved Google’s application to be exempted under the Online News Act, triggering the release of $100 million for news production.
The public broadcasters said it is adding up to 25 journalists in more than a dozen communities that are underserved by broadcast news outlets, with a focus on Western Canada.
“These new positions complement CBC News’ strategy to reach more Canadians by launching new local FAST channels, offering local and breaking news on CBC Gem and the CBC News app, and connected TV platforms in…
Continue Reading
By Connie Thiessen
Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge has confirmed the appointment of Marie-Philippe Bouchard as CBC/Radio-Canada’s next president and CEO.
Appointed for a five-year term, effective Jan. 3, Bouchard’s appointment had been widely rumoured since last week when Quebec media outlets, including Radio-Canada, reported she was in line for the job.
Bouchard has served as President and CEO of francophone public broadcaster TV5 Québec Canada since 2016, overseeing the TV5 Unis channels and platforms, in addition to presiding over TV5 Numérique, TV5MONDE’s partner in establishing international French-language platform TV5MONDEPlus.
Prior to joining TV5, Bouchard held management and executive positions at CBC/Radio-Canada in legal services, strategic planning, regulatory affairs, and digital services, most recently as Director…
Continue Reading
Eastlink announced Thursday two new documentary series to debut next week on Community TV as part of its fall premiere “showcasing inspiring stories from successful local entrepreneurs and community heroes.”
Titans of Business will tell stories and provide insights from successful local entrepreneurs who have made an impact on their communities. The series is hosted by former CBC host, best-selling author and CEO of the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame, Bruce Rainnie.
“The guests on this program have such unique, personal stories to tell,” Rainnie said in a press release. “The common thread, though, is that each started with a…
Continue Reading
By Connie Thiessen
The office of Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge says a decision has yet to be finalized on who will succeed CBC/Radio-Canada President Catherine Tait.
Several Quebec media outlets, including Radio-Canada reported this week that TV5 Québec Canada CEO Marie-Philippe Bouchard, will replace Tait in January, citing unnamed sources.
In an email to Cartt’s sister publication Broadcast Dialogue, Canadian Heritage said a candidate has yet been confirmed for the position.
The department said formal steps that must take place before a candidate is selected have not yet been completed. For reasons of cabinet confidentiality, appointment decisions are not disclosed until formalized…
Continue Reading
CBC announced Tuesday a slate of new original podcasts for the fall, which includes pop culture and investigative series.
Launching Tuesday, October 15, Celine: Understood will run for four episodes and follows “Celine expert” Thomas Leblanc as he “explores the surprising culture, political and business alchemy that created one of the most enduring superstars the planet has ever seen. Understood is a series that features cultural events and places “you want to know more about.”
Launching Monday, October 28, the true crime podcast Uncover: Bad Results will run for six episodes and explores the lives of people shattered by a promise…
Continue Reading
By Connie Thiessen
CBC has expanded its free ad-supported streaming portfolio with the launch of CBC Heartland and CBC Murdoch Mysteries FAST channels featuring 17 seasons each of the long-running series.
Available now on CBC Gem and launching on connected TV platforms in the coming months, the channels join CBC Comedy, CBC News Explore, CBC News BC, and CBC News Toronto.
“We are always looking for new ways to connect audiences with our original entertainment, and as more viewers turn to FAST channels as part of their daily lives, we want to make their favourite shows even more accessible,” said Sally Catto,…
Continue Reading
CBC News and Radio-Canada Info have been recertified by the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI), announced the public broadcaster Thursday.
The certification is essentially a publicly visible mark that assures users that the news produced by the organization is trustworthy.
To get the certification, news organizations must pass external audits done by the Alliance for Audited Media.
The JTI was launched by Reporters Without Borders and its partners in 2018 to combat disinformation. CBC/Radio-Canada’s news services were the first Canadian broadcast media to get the certification.
“As it becomes more difficult to tell fact from fiction, standards like Reporters Without Borders’ Journalism Trust Initiative…
Continue Reading
