Odd decision silences Canada’s international radio voice

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Odd decision silences Canada’s international radio voice


By Wojtek Gwiazda June 21, 2012 6:02 PM
Why would a minister of the Canadian government decide to cut off news from Canada to China and Russia? That’s what we at Radio Canada International keep on asking ourselves.

Last week, we discovered that the 2003 government order in council that required Radio Canada International to be broadcast on shortwave radio had been amended, and the shortwave-broadcasting requirement removed. As well, the obligation to consult with the Foreign Affairs Ministry regarding geographic target areas and languages for RCI broadcasts had been removed. Both changes were made on the recommendation of Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore, and came into effect with a new order in council on June 7.

This is a major setback. We had been counting on the government to make CBC/Radio-Canada respect its responsibilities under the Broadcasting Act that oblige it to have an international service, and its obligations in the 2003 order in council.

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