Friends in the News - 2001
CBC may share resources with CTV station to return service to North Bay
Dec 08, 2001 - Globe & Mail: TV data are right by Ian Morrison (Letter to the Editor)
Follow the Money data come directly from CRTC financial summaries and show private broadcasters welcome federal subsidies but haven’t increased Canadian content
Dec 06, 2001 - Globe & Mail: Broadcasters face end to U.S. gravy train by Eric Reguly
Technology may soon make US networks stop licencing programs for export to Canada, forcing broadcasters to rely on Canadian content
Nov 29, 2001 - Toronto Star: New CRTC head determined to raise profile by Antonia Zerbisias
Friends welcomes appointment of Charles Dalfen as new CRTC head
Nov 29, 2001 - The Sault Star: Speaking of MCTV by Steven Gallagher
MCTV does Sault Ste. Marie viewers a disservice by not acknowledging final local telecast
Nov 28, 2001 - Canadian Press: Toronto telecommunications lawyer appointed new chairman of CRTC
Friends welcomes appointment of Charles Dalfen as new CRTC head
Nov 23, 2001 - Globe & Mail: CRTC seen granting CTV more flexibility by Heather Scoffield and Keith Damsell
CRTC makes concessions to CTV in Newsnet licensing decision
Nov 10, 2001 - The Sault Star: Sault MPP continues the fight to save local news by Elaine Della-Mattia
Sault Ste. Marie residents lobby to keep local CTV news station
Nov 08, 2001 - The Sault Star: Watchdog says CRTC letter holds a warning to MCTV by Brian Kelly
Friends says CRTC letter will push CTV to uphold its commitments to local programming
Nov 06, 2001 - The Sault Star: CTV might be hiding behind loophole, media lobby says by Brian Kelly
CTV may be exploiting licensing loophole allowing it to substitute regional programming for local television
Oct 29, 2001 - Globe & Mail: There is nothing wrong with your TV set ... by Hugh Winsor
Private broadcasters seek subsidies to produce profitable Canadian television without regulation
Oct 28, 2001 - Toronto Star: Geminis are lost in America by Antonia Zerbisias
Private broadcasters seek subsidies to produce profitable Canadian television without regulation
Oct 27, 2001 - National Post: Public friend, private foe
Friends’ criticism of private broadcasters’ commitment to Canadian programming is unjustified
Oct 25, 2001 - CBC Radio The Arts Report: Group says more Canadian dollars going to U.S. programs
Broadcasters’ spending on US programs has increased and on Canadian programs has decreased, even as federal government provides them with subsidies for Canadian content
Oct 25, 2001 - Globe & Mail: Broadcasters seek programming money by Heather Scoffield
Private broadcasters seek subsidies to produce profitable Canadian television without regulation
October 25, 2001 - Toronto Star: Can-con vital in digital world: CAB by Graham Fraser
Technology may soon make US networks stop licencing programs for export to Canada, forcing broadcasters to rely on Canadian content
Oct 24, 2001 - Globe & Mail: Canadian subsidies fund Hollywood spending: study
Broadcasters’ spending on US programs has increased and on Canadian programs has decreased, even as federal government provides them with subsidies for Canadian content
Oct 24, 2001 - Toronto Star: Can-con continues decline by Graham Fraser
Broadcasters’ spending on US programs has increased and on Canadian programs has decreased, even as federal government provides them with subsidies for Canadian content
Oct 23, 2001 - Canadian Press: Our tax dollars going to Hollywood: Lobby group
Broadcasters’ spending on US programs has increased and on Canadian programs has decreased, even as federal government provides them with subsidies for Canadian content
Oct 23, 2001 - Presse Canadienne: Les chaînes télévisées privées subventionneraient l’industrie hollywoodienne (Link to English version inside)
Broadcasters’ spending on US programs has increased and on Canadian programs has decreased, even as federal government provides them with subsidies for Canadian content
Oct 10, 2001 - Moncton Times & Transcript: For MPs, there's no life like it
Redesigned CBC supper-hour news appears very Toronto-centric
Sep 28, 2001 - Canadian Press: Hollywood North expected to survive terror by John McKay
Canada’s film and TV industry will not suffer economic fallout from 9/11 because it is viewed as a safe place for US films to shoot
Sep 27, 2001 - Globe & Mail: Out with the old? Not quite by Gayle MacDonald
CBC updates its image while retaining classic logo
Aug 07, 2001 - Le Soleil: Retrouvailles by Didier Fessou
CRTC decision allows a degree of convergence between television, print newsrooms
Aug 06, 2001 - Globe & Mail: Rebel TV station to take on CRTC by Keith Damsell
Star Ray TV broadcasts Toronto community programming without a licence
Aug 03, 2001 - Toronto Star: CRTC okays merged newsrooms by Susan Pigg
CRTC decision allows a degree of convergence between television, print newsrooms
Aug 03, 2001 - Globe & Mail: CRTC okays newsroom convergence by Heather Scoffield
CRTC decision allows a degree of convergence between television, print newsrooms
Aug 03, 2001 - Winnipeg Free Press: CRTC lets newsrooms merge by Martin Cash
CRTC decision allows a degree of convergence between television, print newsrooms
Aug 03, 2001 - Calgary Herald: CRTC stresses quality journalism by Chris Cobb
CRTC decision allows a degree of convergence between television, print newsrooms
Aug 03, 2001 - Saskatoon Star Phoenix: Regulator OKs media convergence by Chris Cobb
CRTC decision allows a degree of convergence between television, print newsrooms
Aug 02, 2001 - Toronto Star: CRTC to offer view on media concentration by Jennifer Ditchburn
CRTC decision allows a degree of convergence between television, print newsrooms
Aug 02, 2001 - CTV News: CRTC renews network licences with conditions by Roger Smith
CRTC decision allows a degree of convergence between television, print newsrooms
Jul 18, 2001 - Vancouver Sun: A new spark for the CBC by Daryl Duke
Carole Taylor must ensure the CBC reflects Canada’s diversity of languages, cultures and communities
Jul 17, 2001 - Canadian Press: Chrétien confirms Taylor is new chairwoman of CBC by John McKay
Carole Taylor must ensure the CBC reflects Canada’s diversity of languages, cultures and communities
Jul 07, 2001 - Toronto Star: Rogers agrees to purchase Sportsnet by Chris Zelkovich
Approval should not be difficult for Rogers’ proposed purchase of CTV’s share of Sportsnet
Jul 06, 2001 - : CRTC sets limits on Quebecor deal by Chris Cobb
CRTC imposes news-gathering conditions on converging media giants
Jul 06, 2001 - Globe & Mail: CRTC demands newsrooms be separate by Keith Damsell
CRTC imposes news-gathering conditions on converging media giants
Jul 06, 2001 - Montreal Gazette: Convergence plans at stake by Andy Riga
CRTC imposes news-gathering conditions on converging media giants
Jul 03, 2001 - Canadian Press: CRTC ruling to set path of convergence by Paula Arab
CRTC conditions on Québecor merger will set framework for other convergence deals
Jul 02, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: PM leaving cultural agencies adrift: critics by Chris Cobb
Liberals’ delay in appointing executives to CBC, CRTC and Telefilm shows their disregard for culture
Jun 21, 2001 - Eye: Big cable gets bigger by Paul Weinberg
Friends worries allowing cable companies to own specialty channels will give them too much control over content
Jun 20, 2001 - Canadian Press: CBC to spend new federal money on programming, announces more layoffs
50 more CBC jobs will be cut as $60 million in additional funding is directed toward programming
Jun 08, 2001 - Toronto Star: Cable companies get their wish by Antonia Zerbisias
CRTC awards cable companies the right to own specialty channels, opening way for further media concentration
Jun 07, 2001 - Canadian Press: CRTC allows cable company purchases by David Paddon
CRTC awards cable companies the right to own specialty channels, opening way for further media concentration
Jun 02, 2001 - Globe & Mail: Weekend Diary by Michael Posner
Ian Morrison is trying to fend off a suspected investigation by CanWest Global
May 30, 2001 - National Post: CJF washes hands of donation by Murray Whyte
Canadian Journalism Foundation reviews policies after alleged conflict of interest involving political donations to Canadian Media Research Consortium
May 29, 2001 - Globe & Mail: Lobbyist resigns from journalism body by Michael Posner
Following allegations her many professional associations placed her in a conflict of interest, vice-chairwoman of the Canadian Journalism Foundation voluntarily resigned.
May 29, 2001 - National Post: Consultant confirms departure from CJF by Murray Whyte
Following suggestions her many professional associations placed her in a conflict of interest, Pauline Couture has resigned from the Canadian Journalism Foundation
May 28, 2001 - National Post: Executive to quit journalism group amid conflict allegations by Richard Foot
Following suggestions her many professional associations placed her in a conflict of interest, Pauline Couture has resigned from the Canadian Journalism Foundation
May 23, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: For the Record by Michael McCabe (Letter to the Editor)
Michael McCabe’s comments regarding CRTC conflict of interest were his own views, and were not intended to speak for the CAB
May 17, 2001 - Globe & Mail: The lobbyists are everywhere – and they're multiplying by Eric Reguly
Lobbyists and PR staff have too much control over Canadian affairs
May 16, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: CRTC accused of hiring conflict by Randy Boswell and Tim Naumetz
CAB president claims CRTC’s hiring of Friends’ Steering Committee member as speechwriter was conflict of interest
May 15, 2001 - National Post: Beyond name-calling by Matthew Fraser
Friends and CJF need to clean up allegations of conflict of interest to restore their credibility
May 14, 2001 - Globe & Mail: What's a little enmity among Friends? by Hugh Winsor
Rivalry between CanWest and Friends seems to have more to do with perceived conflicts of interest than with Friends’ actual work
May 12, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: 'Friends' ignores facts on Global by Gerry Noble, President and CEO, Global Television Network
Friends makes unbalanced attacks on CanWest Global while ignoring positive developments in Canadian broadcasting system
May 11, 2001 - National Post: Foundation apologizes to writer by Murray Whyte
CJF apologizes to Matthew Fraser after incident involving CanWest, Friends
May 11, 2001 - Canadian Press: Time to vent broadcasting views by Bruce Cheadle
Commons heritage committee will launch review of Broadcasting Act, CRTC, invites broadcasters and public to share their views
May 11, 2001 - Montreal Gazette: MPs to probe media cross-ownership by Chris Cobb
Commons heritage committee will launch review of Broadcasting Act, CRTC, invites broadcasters and public to share their views
May 10, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: Article on 'Friends' needed more research by Bill Wilton (Letter to the Editor)
CJF refutes Matthew Fraser’s allegations of conflict of interest
May 08, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: 'Friends' of public scrutiny by Matthew Fraser (pdf 84KB)
Ian Morrison should render Friends as financially accountable as the broadcasters he targets
May 5, 2001 - National Post: A world of Friends by Matthew Fraser
Friends of Canadian Broadcasting does not uphold the transparency and accountability standards it demands of broadcasters, columnist says.
May 05, 2001 - National Post: A world of Friends by Matthew Fraser
Ian Morrison should render Friends as financially accountable as the broadcasters he targets
May 04, 2001 - Calgary Herald: Broadcasting watchdog group an absurd circus by Matthew Fraser (pdf 63KB)
Friends lacks substance, legitimacy along with CRTC
May 03, 2001 - National Post: Friends
Friends has become diverted from its original purpose and been associated with conflicts of interest
May 03, 2001 - Victoria Times Colonist: Media regulator is in trouble by Matthew Fraser (pdf 59KB)
Friends lacks substance, legitimacy along with CRTC
May 03, 2001 - Niagara Falls Review: Departure spells trouble for group by Matthew Fraser (pdf 65KB)
Friends lacks substance, legitimacy along with CRTC
May 03, 2001 - Windsor Star: CRTC struggling along by Matthew Fraser (pdf 54KB)
Friends lacks substance, legitimacy along with CRTC
May 02, 2001 - Globe & Mail: When friends fall out by Gayle MacDonald
Peter C. Newman believes Friends has overextended its mandate, while remaining members of Steering Committee defend the organization
May 02, 2001 - Toronto Star: Vital Friends under attack by media giants by Antonia Zerbisias
Although not perfect, Friends is a vital grassroots public interest group
May 02, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: CBC's old 'friend' has fewer friends of his own by Matthew Fraser (pdf 55KB)
Friends lacks substance, legitimacy along with CRTC
May 02, 2001 - Vancouver Sun: Putting the boots to Canada's feeble media regulators by Matthew Fraser (pdf 55KB)
Friends lacks substance, legitimacy along with CRTC
May 02, 2001 - Vancouver Province: Friends of Public Broadcasting head more a friend of CRTC by Matthew Fraser (pdf 50KB)
Friends lacks substance, legitimacy along with CRTC
May 01, 2001 - National Post: Broadcast watchdog has only one trick by Matthew Fraser
Friends lacks substance, legitimacy along with CRTC
Apr 26, 2001 - National Post: Newman quits broadcasting lobby by Murray Whyte
Peter C. Newman resigns from Friends, saying organization has been diverted from its original purpose
Apr 26, 2001 - National Post: CTV, Global await CRTC rules on newsrooms by Barbara Shecter
Broadcasters hope upcoming CRTC ruling does not regulate conduct in their newsrooms
Apr 25, 2001 - Toronto Star: How about meaningful TV? by Antonia Zerbisias
Cultural lobby groups claim 7 years is too long for CTV, Global licence renewals
Apr 20, 2001 - National Post: State has no place in the newsroom by Matthew Fraser
CRTC’s potential ruling on newspapers may indeed be unconstitutional
Apr 19, 2001 - Globe & Mail: CBC hires U.S. ad firm for makeover of English-language television by Bertrand Marotte
New York’s Razorfish Inc. has been hired to head CBC rebranding
Apr 18, 2001 - Globe & Mail: CTV is asked to explain why bigger is better by Heather Scoffield
CTV believes cross-ownership will enrich Canadian broadcasting, but can’t say how
Apr 18, 2001 - Toronto Star: Desperately defending media convergence by Antonia Zerbisias
CTV believes cross-ownership will enrich Canadian broadcasting, but can’t say how
Apr 18, 2001 - Canadian Press: CTV execs won't predict future, can't tell CRTC how cross-ownership will work by Leanne Yohemas-Hayes
CTV believes cross-ownership will enrich Canadian broadcasting, but can’t say how
Apr 18, 2001 - Brandon Sun: Craig empire in transition by Rod Nickel
Craig Broadcast Systems could be bought out by CHUM, continuing trend toward consolidation in Canadian media
Apr 17, 2001 - Winnipeg Free Press: Stakes high for private TV networks by Martin Cash
Upcoming CRTC licence renewal hearings for CTV, Global will address cross-ownership
Apr 17, 2001 - Canadian Press: Stakes high as broadcast regulator examines record of private TV networks by Dennis Bueckert
Upcoming CRTC licence renewal hearings for CTV, Global will address cross-ownership
Apr 16, 2001 - National Post: Cross-ownership song and dance by Matthew Fraser
Editorial diversity and Canadian content issues arising from convergence should not be subject to over-zealous regulation by CRTC
Apr 16, 2001 - Globe & Mail: CRTC hearing to set tone for TV's future by Heather Scoffield
Upcoming CRTC licence renewal hearings for CTV, Global will address cross-ownership
Apr 15, 2001 - Toronto Star: Private TV takes static for Canadian content drop by Antonia Zerbisias
Critics say private networks are not investing enough in Canadian content
Apr 14, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: Global, CTV face licence renewals
Upcoming CRTC licence renewal hearings for CTV, Global will address cross-ownership
Apr 14, 2001 - Toronto Star: Ready or not, CRTC takes on media convergence by Antonia Zerbisias
Upcoming CRTC licence renewal hearings for CTV, Global will address cross-ownership
Apr 14, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: All-party panel to investigate TV industry by Chris Cobb
Commons heritage committee will launch review of Broadcasting Act, CRTC, invites broadcasters and public to share their views
Mar 30, 2001 - : The CRTC's indecent exposure by Matthew Fraser
Pay-per-view porn controversy exposes CRTC’s regulatory failings
March 29, 2001 - : E-mail from Matthew Fraser
Fraser denies he wrote a Frank Magazine article on Friends.
Mar 26, 2001 - Globe & Mail: Ottawa and the Goliaths by Heather Scoffield
Policymakers and existing institutions are ill-equipped to deal with increasing media convergence
Mar 22, 2001 - Globe & Mail: Close encounters of a media kind by Michael Posner
Friends questions appropriateness of CBC partnerships with Toronto Star
Mar 14, 2001 - Toronto Star: McDonough slams broadcasting review by Graham Fraser
Liberal government’s involvement with broadcasting insiders casts doubt on their ability to run objective studies of the industry
Mar 12, 2001 - Canadian Press: Watchdog: Rogers' letter a 'threat' by Lisa Schmidt
Friends believes Rogers’ letter to film and television producers is a threat to force them to intervene at CRTC hearings
Mar 09, 2001 - Toronto Star: Corus pays $205 million in bidding war for WTN by Susan Pigg
Corus may have trouble purchasing WTN due to CRTC’s traditional opposition to cable companies owning specialty channels
Mar 05, 2001 - National Post: Crusade to purify private TV is a waste of money by Matthew Fraser
Government should deregulate private TV and focus subsidies on niche areas where Canadian programming is superior
Mar 03, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: CRTC at centre of Liberal turf war by Chris Cobb
Competition between Heritage Minister Sheila Copps and Industry Minister Brian Tobin prompts review of CRTC’s role
Mar 02, 2001 - New Brunswick Telegraph Journal: Audience share for CBC's supper news tumbles by 45% by Alan White
Following cuts to local news programs, CBC’s audience share for supper-hour news has dropped
Feb 22, 2001 - Globe & Mail: CRTC to probe Canadian content by Michael Posner
CRTC releases CTV, Global financial statements pending licence renewal hearings
Feb 22, 2001 - Toronto Star: CanCon spending squabble by Antonia Zerbisias
Global claims CTV’s specialty channels make it easier for the network to spend money on Canadian programming
Feb 21, 2001 - Canadian Press: CRTC exposes CTV and Global spending numbers
CRTC releases CTV, Global financial statements pending licence renewal hearings
Feb 20, 2001 - National Post: Global argues Canadian TV numbers confidential by Antonia Zerbisias
Global may oppose releasing financial data because of potential criticism for its low spending on Canadian programming
Feb 18, 2001 - Toronto Star: Cable wants bigger slice of TV pie by Greg Quill
Critics worry allowing cable companies to own specialty channels will reduce diversity of voices in the broadcasting system
Feb 15, 2001 - Globe & Mail: TV's Mr. Education by Sandra Martin
Former TVO executive David Moffat Walker, a champion of educational television, has died.
Feb 03, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: Senators, BCE not a good fit by Chris Cobb
Despite the potential of sports-media mergers’ success, BCE will likely not profit from small-market Senators
Jan 30, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: Newman 'jazzed' about Global gig by Chris Nuttal-Smith
Kevin Newman will anchor Global’s new network newscast
Jan 27, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: Award-winning filmmaker appointed to CBC board by Chris Cobb
Chrétien appoints acclaimed filmmaker and known Liberal supporter to CBC board of directors
Jan 18, 2001 - Montreal Gazette: Time to invest in CBC by Lawrence Martin
Liberal government should take policy initiative by putting $500 million back into CBC
Jan 15, 2001 - CBC Arts Report: CRTC wants private spending to be made public info
CRTC aims to include private networks’ financial data in public files for licence renewals
Jan 12, 2001 - Canadian Press: CRTC considers releasing TV broadcasters' spending on Canadian content by Lisa Schmidt
CRTC aims to include private networks’ financial data in public files for licence renewals
Jan 05, 2001 - Ottawa Citizen: The CBC's noble goals
Robert Rabinovitch hints that CBC may broadcast fewer NHL playoff games to make space for other programming within its public mandate
