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ublic Broadcasting is Cultural
National Defence
Canada's identity and sovereignty have been achieved by acts of
public policy and public determination, based upon shared visions
beyond economic or pragmatic considerations. Building a sense of
belonging - a sense of community - in our vast and diverse country
will continue to require effective instruments to express the national
interest by enabling Canadians to learn about each other and to
nurture the shared values that are the foundation of a distinctive
society. Public broadcasting is cultural national defence.
In essence, the private broadcasters have served as conduits for
transmitting American light entertainment programs to the Canadian
public, with substitution of Canadian, for American, commercials.
This generalization is valid despite the commendable record of private
networks in TV news and sports coverage.
The role of the national public broadcaster is to do those things
which private broadcasters have demonstrated they will not, or cannot,
accomplish.
In essence, this leaves public broadcasting with the role of presenting
quality programs that inform Canadians about their country's "facts,
fantasies, opinions and trends -- in other words, the shared values
that create a distinctive society" on the northern half of
this continent.
From the brief to the Federal Task Force on Broadcasting Policy
from The
Friends of Public Broadcasting
16 Sept. 1985.
This article appeared in the Winter 1986/1987 issue of Sources.
See also:
Arts,
Media, Culture articles from Connexions Digest and Library
CBC
left-wing? - A piece questioning the CBC's place
on the left-right spectrum. (CX5061).
Cuts,
Canadian Culture, and the CBC - Canadian drama gives
us a sense of community. (CX5213)
A
Goal for National Survival: 50% Canadian TV Content -
The destruction of the CBC would be the greatest disaster to
befall Canada. (CX5212).
Tories
are Suffocating the CBC, the Country
Subject Headings
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