Customers come 1st in TV fight, says CIPPIC
p2pnet news view TV | Politics:- Heritage minister James Moore (right) must put customers first in the fight between broadcasters and cable firms, says Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC).
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has been ordered to investigate the implications and advisability of implementing a “compensation regime” for the value of local TV signals.
The study will raise important considerations for customers regarding cable fees or taxation, and the preservation of local television.
But as usual, the people it’s all about are virtually invisible in the process.
Unlike the Telecommunications Act, the Broadcasting Act doesn’t have mechanisms to ensure consumer organizations have sufficient resources to fully take part in these kinds of proceedings, says David Fewer, acting director of the CIPPIC.
But, consumers will, “ultimately pay the bill,” he notes.
“It’s simply a matter of ensuring that consumer voices inform the process, and so the result.”
In September, the CRTC asked the government to provide funding to ensure full participation by consumer groups in this consultation, says CIPPIC.
But the Government hasn’t, “publicly responded”.
Now, CIPIC has joined consumer organizations asking for action.
Including re the Consumers Association of Canada (CAC), Union des Consommateurs (UC), the Consumers Council of Canada (CAC), Option Consommateurs (OC), Canada Without Poverty (CWP), the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), and CIPPIC have signed a letter to Minister Moore asking his department to remedy these issues.
The Consumers Interest Alliance Inc. (CIAI) has sent in an additionally letter in its own name supporting the organizations’ request.
Stay tuned.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win ~ Mahatma Gandhi
October, 2009
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October 17th, 2009 at 10:43 am
“But the Government hasn’t, “publicly responded”.”
Sure they have, see your readers write here:
http://www.p2pnet.net/story/29856#comments
Canadians shut out from hearings on local television
“But Friday, Moore’s spokeswoman Deirdra McCracken said the government would not provide the CRTC with extra cash for consumer groups.”
October 18th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
From Canadian Press:
Oct 16, 2009 – On another ethical front Friday, a non-partisan group asked the ethics, lobbyist and elections commissioners to investigate a fundraiser organized for Tory MP Rick Dykstra.
Democracy Watch said Dykstra hosted 60 “friends” last month in the owner’s box at Toronto’s Roger’s Centre for a Blue Jays baseball game. The donors got tickets to the game, access to the owner’s suite, food and drinks, an opportunity to attend batting practice and meetings with unidentified federal cabinet ministers and Blue Jays players.
The group wants to know what, if anything, Dykstra or the party paid for the various perks – particularly the owner’s box which can’t be rented and is only used with permission of owner Rogers Communications Inc., a company which lobbies the federal government.
Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.