The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The fracas to save North Country and Keewatin Country, the CBC radio shows serving the northern parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan respectively, has consummated in victory. Now our community-minded organizations and elected officials must set their sights on the next frontier in the battle for equality from Canada's public broadcaster. The People's Network plans to mothball an unknown number of over-the-air television transmitters within the next 27 months. Why? Because the broadcasting regulator, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), has given TV stations until August 2011 to complete the costly changeover from analog transmitters to those of the digital variety. CBC does not know which analog units it will shutter, or if it does, it is not saying. However, according to CBC.ca, a report put together by a Canadian TV industry working group proposes the conversion of transmitters mainly in larger centres only. Given Flin Flon-Creighton's size and the fact private broadcaster CTV is already pulling out because the over-the-air viewership numbers do not add up, we can be virtually guaranteed our CBC transmitter would be laid out on the chopping block. With digital transmitters carrying an immense price tag, it is strenuous to imagine CBC willingly installing one to serve our small, geographically remote area. This may not be a big deal to many residents, since the vast majority of Canadians subscribe to cable or satellite and will continue to pick up CBC programming unfettered. Then there is the whole debate over the value of the CBC, which sizable numbers of Canadians discern as an antiquated money-sucker in an era of 500 channels and online TV. But neither point is relevant to this issue. As long as there is a CBC drawing well over a billion bucks from taxpayers each year, area residents have a right to enjoy the service if they want to, at no additional cost to themselves. There is another dimension to consider. Low-income earners, of whom there are more in our area than commonly thought, have their limited income trimmed to keep CBC on the air. Should they be shut out because they can't afford cable or satellite? The onus is now on all those groups and individuals who fought for North Country and Keewatin Country Ð Flin Flon City Council, Norman Regional Development Corporation and MP Niki Ashton among them Ð to lobby just as ardently for a continued presence of CBC Television over the airwaves. There are three solutions to be considered. One, CBC could bite the bullet and spend the hundreds of millions needed to fully upgrade all analog transmitters. Two, the CRTC could back off its coercing of networks to make the leap to digital, leaving the existing analog system in place. Or, three, Ottawa could accept the television industry's recommendation that people who lose their over-the-air signals receive subsidies to help cover their cable or satellite bills, assuring CBC access. Each route has its pros and cons, and the third would rightly be a hard sell for any government. But CBC Television is a massively-funded public service. As a principle, no matter where they live or what their income, Canadians deserve to see it. If that cannot happen, then let us opt out of paying for it. Local Angle runs Fridays.
