Thursday, July 09, 2009

CRTC whitewashes report

In June 4, 2009, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission published its “Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-329: Review of broadcasting in new media.”  Included were extremely interesting remarks on free expression from Commissioner Timothy Denton in his concurring opinion:

The history of the regulation of speech in this country does not engender confidence that such powers will be used wisely. Canada has experienced several instances in recent times where regulatory commissions of another type and armed with a different mission have challenged the right to say controversial things. The struggles of Ezra Levant, Mark Steyn and others have served as important warnings that regulatory authorities charged with combating racism, hatred, and other evils have consistently expanded their mandates, have abused their powers and eroded fundamental liberties. Wherever there is official orthodoxy, disagreement is heresy, and where there is heresy, there is usually an inquisition to root it out. After centuries ridding ourselves of thought control agencies, 20th century Canada re-invented them.

Strangely enough, this paragraph was removed from the report yesterday.  Want to see for yourself?  Check out the two versions on Stephen Taylor’s blog.

One has to ask, why would the CRTC remove this paragraph with it reference to recent court battle defending to right to freedom of expression in the media and its concerns over the abusive powers of the Human Rights Commissions in Canada?  Any suggestions?

1 comment:

Baz said...

Hi brother Glen. First time on your blog. CRTC (Canadian Radical Thought Control)is in full force. It limits Christian media in Canada, and promotes explicit hetero and homo-sexual material (the last word being an oxymoron). When I was a kid I used to watch Andy of Mayberry. No swearing or filth. Kids today would find it boring. Family Guy is what they watch and that also is an interesting title. My son's friends were watching this at my house, when I heard Jesus being mocked. It was off pretty fast. CRTC is the anti-watchman so-to-speak. But Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness. In the US talk radio is very concerned that the Fairness Doctrine will be passed. This would demand equal time for "other points of view". Small media companies would be unable to bear the financial burden of this imposed legislation and be forced out of business. Now Canada is on the forefront in thought control. If this passed in Canada, small outfits would be stymied which would leave the biggies like Macleans without competition. From the Macleans article it is evident that they are towing the party line, as does CBC, as does CTV, etc. I see persecution coming to Canada much stronger than we see now. This intolerance will be under the guise of tolerance. It is happening slowly like the frog in the water story, but I believe that it is happening. How many times did Christ insist, "Be not deceived"