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Carney pledges $150M boost to 'underfunded' CBC

www.cbc.ca /news/politics/mark-carney-cbc-funding-1.7501902
52 comments
  • "When we compare ourselves to the U.K., France or Germany, we see that our public broadcaster is underfunded," Carney said in French during a campaign stop in Montreal. "That has to change."

    "We expect that in the coming years, we will continue to increase that funding until it can be compared to that provided by other public broadcasters."

    Carney also said funding of the CBC and Radio-Canada would be made statutory, meaning any changes would have to be approved by Parliament, not just the government's cabinet.

    "Canadians themselves and their entire Parliament must decide on the future of Radio-Canada/CBC — not ideologues," he said.

    Wow, just wow. There's more, read the article.

    • It's dangerous to like a leader as much as I like this guy. There's much in his world view that inspires ambivalence. But then every actual move is just so on point that it's hard to ignore this nagging doubt -- because it's just too good to be true.

      Like what's the absolute worst thing he's done so far? In my book it was scrapping the carbon tax; it was defusing something that could cost the election, in a way that can even be easily reverted, at a time when it's about the least important short-term concern.

    • I think everyone knows how great the BBC is. But, not everyone knows just how big and important it is. It is the largest broadcast news organization in the world. It has more than 5500 journalists and 50 foreign news bureaus. Canada shouldn't compete with the BBC, but it should at least be BBC-like within its own borders.

      Other national broadcasters are also great. Look at Australia's Triple J for example. Not only does it expose young Australians to Australian music they wouldn't otherwise hear on commercial radio, it also has science programs aimed at children and young adults. I love Dr. Karl's stuff, even though I'm definitely not in the target demographic (being non-Australian and old).

      IMO, the statutory funding isn't enough either. It's a step in the right direction. But, if all it takes is parliament voting, then it's vulnerable to the next PC majority. If it's made independent enough, that should also help it avoid accusations of being a government mouthpiece.

    • Seems to be mid 20th-century liberal with national projects.

      Nice.

52 comments