According to its 2010-2011 annual report, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation received a total of $1.16 billion in government funding in 2011. To put the number into perspective, that is 3.6 percent of the entire federal budget deficit forecast by the finance department for the fiscal year 2011-2012.
More than one billion dollars! Is this ongoing expense to taxpayers justified, especially given the number of private broadcasters, radio stations and television channels available offering Canadian programming today?
We don’t think so. That’s why we’re calling on the government to sell the CBC.
Read the full story here.
cbcexposed is all about exposing the waste of the CBC ... over 1 billion dollars a year of taxpayer money funds the cbc and a lot of that taxpayer money is wasted.
Privatize the CBC, save $1.1 billion
At a time when the world faces an economic crisis, where Canadians are struggling to pay their bills, and where the Canadian government is undertaking a massive strategic review to cut $4 billion from the annual budget, why are Canadians still shelling out a massive $1.1 billion a year to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
The Canadian government is not asking for anything revolutionary when it suggests that Crown corporations and ministries live within their means. Their review is aimed at identifying areas where greater efficiency is possible, and assuring that Canadians get good value for their tax dollars.
When considering the CBC’s funding, the guiding question should be “Why?” Why do they need $1.1 billion of taxpayers’ money? Why should they receive $32 from every Canadian when there are literally hundreds of news agencies out there that survive without tax money?
Read the full story here.
The Canadian government is not asking for anything revolutionary when it suggests that Crown corporations and ministries live within their means. Their review is aimed at identifying areas where greater efficiency is possible, and assuring that Canadians get good value for their tax dollars.
When considering the CBC’s funding, the guiding question should be “Why?” Why do they need $1.1 billion of taxpayers’ money? Why should they receive $32 from every Canadian when there are literally hundreds of news agencies out there that survive without tax money?
Read the full story here.
Is the CBC an essential service to survival (food, shelter, and clothing)? No.
I'm not going to delve into the fact the CBC public broadcaster is not opening its books to the public. What are the fat cat bureaucrats and minions up to? We don't know. Yet the government (we) fund it.
And why in this day of austerity is the government propping up a media corporation? Aren't these "Occupy" protests also about evil corporations being in the pockets of government?
CBC is a corporation. It says so in its name. And it's not a small operation either. But here's something to ponder, liberals and dippers... it's not a social program either. It doesn't help the poor. In fact, it hurts it because taxpayers pay over a billion a year to fund it instead of say lowering taxes, paying down debt, or for funding your other social programs.
Read the full story here.
And why in this day of austerity is the government propping up a media corporation? Aren't these "Occupy" protests also about evil corporations being in the pockets of government?
CBC is a corporation. It says so in its name. And it's not a small operation either. But here's something to ponder, liberals and dippers... it's not a social program either. It doesn't help the poor. In fact, it hurts it because taxpayers pay over a billion a year to fund it instead of say lowering taxes, paying down debt, or for funding your other social programs.
Read the full story here.
Local cop suing CBC for $100,000 ...
Edmonton police officer Mike Wasylyshen has filed a $100,000 defamation lawsuit against the CBC regarding a TV broadcast about him repeatedly Tasering a city teen.
According to a statement of claim filed in Court of Queen’s Bench on April 28, Wasylyshen alleges the 2009 broadcast falsely stated he had admitted tocommitting a number of violent and potentially criminal acts.
In particular, Wasylyshen claims the CBC story stated he is a city police officer with a criminal record for assault who is “admitting to once again crossing the line,” which he says implies he has admitted to having committed an assault or other criminal offence.
Read the full story here.
According to a statement of claim filed in Court of Queen’s Bench on April 28, Wasylyshen alleges the 2009 broadcast falsely stated he had admitted tocommitting a number of violent and potentially criminal acts.
In particular, Wasylyshen claims the CBC story stated he is a city police officer with a criminal record for assault who is “admitting to once again crossing the line,” which he says implies he has admitted to having committed an assault or other criminal offence.
Read the full story here.
Quebec businessman Tony Accurso sues CBC/Radio-Canada over Mafia-wake reports ...
Quebec construction mogul Antonio Accurso is suing the CBC and Radio-Canada, saying they incorrectly reported he attended the viewing for the eldest son of the reputed head of Montreal's Italian Mafia.
Accurso says CBC and Radio-Canada reported Dec. 31 he was present at a funeral home where mourners were paying their last respects to Nick Rizzuto Jr.
His statement of claim says journalists Kai Nagata and Yvan Cote repeatedly reported Accurso was present at the funeral home.
Accurso says he was "thousands of kilometres" away.
Accurso is seeking $3 million in damages to his reputation, $500,000 in punitive damages, as well as a public apology.
Read the full story here.
Accurso says CBC and Radio-Canada reported Dec. 31 he was present at a funeral home where mourners were paying their last respects to Nick Rizzuto Jr.
His statement of claim says journalists Kai Nagata and Yvan Cote repeatedly reported Accurso was present at the funeral home.
Accurso says he was "thousands of kilometres" away.
Accurso is seeking $3 million in damages to his reputation, $500,000 in punitive damages, as well as a public apology.
Read the full story here.
“On prime time I was called a pompous little prick,” CBC President Hubert Lacroix complains.
CBC faces uncertain future as federal budget looms
Canada’s venerable public broadcaster has long been a big and easy target. But never has “Mother Corp.” felt so vulnerable. It’s in the eye of what one observer describes as a perfect storm.
The media landscape has changed dramatically. Competitors like CTV have integrated with telecom companies like Bell, which own the cable and wireless networks Canadians increasingly use to view content. CBC/Radio Canada, with its crumbling coast-to-coast infrastructure, including 789 transmission sites, is looking old.
Meanwhile, Conservative government MPs — six at last count — have tabled petitions to end CBC’s $1.1 billion in public funding. This after Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s parliamentary secretary, Dean Del Mastro, mused that “maybe it’s time to get out of the broadcasting business.”
Typifying the double-barrelled assault is Quebecor, the vertically integrated media conglomerate with key officials from Conservative ranks. It has filed some 1,000 freedom of information requests to the CBC while fishing for signs of wasteful spending. The attacks have been personal, too.
“On prime time I was called a pompous little prick,” CBC President Hubert Lacroix complains. “That’s the kind of stuff they’re throwing at us.”
All fears are now focused on March 29, when Finance Minister Jim Flaherty presents a deficit-tackling budget. CBC/Radio Canada was asked, along with other government entities, for two budget plans — one with a 5 per cent cut, the other with 10. Most CBC observers believe the bigger bullet has the corporation’s name on it.
Read the full story here.
Canada’s venerable public broadcaster has long been a big and easy target. But never has “Mother Corp.” felt so vulnerable. It’s in the eye of what one observer describes as a perfect storm.
The media landscape has changed dramatically. Competitors like CTV have integrated with telecom companies like Bell, which own the cable and wireless networks Canadians increasingly use to view content. CBC/Radio Canada, with its crumbling coast-to-coast infrastructure, including 789 transmission sites, is looking old.
Meanwhile, Conservative government MPs — six at last count — have tabled petitions to end CBC’s $1.1 billion in public funding. This after Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s parliamentary secretary, Dean Del Mastro, mused that “maybe it’s time to get out of the broadcasting business.”
Typifying the double-barrelled assault is Quebecor, the vertically integrated media conglomerate with key officials from Conservative ranks. It has filed some 1,000 freedom of information requests to the CBC while fishing for signs of wasteful spending. The attacks have been personal, too.
“On prime time I was called a pompous little prick,” CBC President Hubert Lacroix complains. “That’s the kind of stuff they’re throwing at us.”
All fears are now focused on March 29, when Finance Minister Jim Flaherty presents a deficit-tackling budget. CBC/Radio Canada was asked, along with other government entities, for two budget plans — one with a 5 per cent cut, the other with 10. Most CBC observers believe the bigger bullet has the corporation’s name on it.
Read the full story here.
Yukon Safety Officer Sues CBC Over Malicious Web Post ...
A safety inspector in the Yukon is suing the CBC for publishing what he says is a malicious and professionally damaging attack on its web comment board. According to The Canadian Press, Robert Scott's weight, his competence and his credibility all come under fire in the post, which he says in his statement of claim clearly breaks the national broadcaster's own guidelines. The post names Scott and another man. The other man has not filed a defamation suit.
Scott says his ''ability to work in this community has been severely affected by these libelous statements,'' and he is suing the CBC for $125,000, plus legal expenses and interest.
Read the full story here.
Scott says his ''ability to work in this community has been severely affected by these libelous statements,'' and he is suing the CBC for $125,000, plus legal expenses and interest.
Read the full story here.
CBC's Going Down Without a Fight ...
Once More With Anger -- The reason for this anger is that CBC -- represented in most of our minds by its flagship program, The National -- is fighting for its life.
Drastic budget cuts to the Mother Corp will automatically mean drastic budget cuts to what is by far its most important department -- News.
In the face of this threat, like any other organization struggling to survive, the CBC should be producing excellence.
Instead, it keeps pumping out notably mediocre entertainment. And The National, rather than getting better and better at informing and enlightening Canadians, which is what it's supposed to do, keeps screwing up.
Read the full story here.
Drastic budget cuts to the Mother Corp will automatically mean drastic budget cuts to what is by far its most important department -- News.
In the face of this threat, like any other organization struggling to survive, the CBC should be producing excellence.
Instead, it keeps pumping out notably mediocre entertainment. And The National, rather than getting better and better at informing and enlightening Canadians, which is what it's supposed to do, keeps screwing up.
Read the full story here.
Not biting the hand that feeds you ...
A journalist put forward by The Canadian Press news agency as an unbiased reporter on matters related to the CBC is listed as an employee of the state broadcaster, according to documents released through access to information requests.
Jennifer Ditchburn has provided extensive coverage of CBC, often writing highly favourable stories, without ever revealing that she is on its payroll.
According to CBC's own documents, Ditchburn is considered an employee.
Read the full story here.
Jennifer Ditchburn has provided extensive coverage of CBC, often writing highly favourable stories, without ever revealing that she is on its payroll.
According to CBC's own documents, Ditchburn is considered an employee.
Read the full story here.
CBC Threatens To Sue Developer Of Canadian Radio Player ...
An interesting development has ensued between the CBC and Canadian developer, Cory Alder of Vancouver. He developed an app titled Canadian Radio Player, available in the Mac App Store for $2.99, to enable CBC radio streams on your Mac, from anywhere.
Originally, the app contained a reference to the CBC and use of its logo, but was soon changed. The CBC isn’t happy about this app, and has fired off a cease and decist letter, citing copyright infringement.
Dave has since given his side of the story on his blog and is bewildered, noting the irony of his own tax dollars are being used to pay for the CBC lawyer being used against him.
What do you think? Does CBC have a case here or is this developer being treated unfairly by the CBC?
Read the full story here.
Originally, the app contained a reference to the CBC and use of its logo, but was soon changed. The CBC isn’t happy about this app, and has fired off a cease and decist letter, citing copyright infringement.
Dave has since given his side of the story on his blog and is bewildered, noting the irony of his own tax dollars are being used to pay for the CBC lawyer being used against him.
What do you think? Does CBC have a case here or is this developer being treated unfairly by the CBC?
Read the full story here.
Sun News hosts on CBC enemies list ...
What do CBC president Hubert Lacroix and former U.S. President Richard Nixon have in common? They both kept lists of their enemies. The fact Richard Nixon kept a list of his enemies was revealed during the Watergate hearings. CBC's enemies list has been revealed through a series of access-to-information requests.
As much as CBC has an enemies list, they also seem to have a friends list as well. In other documents released through access to information, we can see Marco Dube, director of communications for the CBC, courting a journalist from The Canadian Press. Dube offers Jennifer Ditchburn, who is also paid to appear on CBC programs, exclusive access to CBC president Hubert Lacroix.
Read the full story here.
As much as CBC has an enemies list, they also seem to have a friends list as well. In other documents released through access to information, we can see Marco Dube, director of communications for the CBC, courting a journalist from The Canadian Press. Dube offers Jennifer Ditchburn, who is also paid to appear on CBC programs, exclusive access to CBC president Hubert Lacroix.
Read the full story here.
State-funded Canadian broadcaster cancels porn web show after protests ...
The soft-core porn web show “Hard,” which Canada’s state-funded broadcaster CBC had been making available at taxpayers’ expense on its French language website in Quebec, has been canceled after the CBC was called on the carpet by members of Parliament, including Prime Minister Harper and Heritage Minister James Moore.
The story came to light last month when Brian Lilley of Sun News Network’s program Byline showed a censored clip from the show.
The program, produced in France by a private company, was purchased by the CBC for an undisclosed amount and was made available on a Radio-Canada website called tou.tv.
Read the full story here.
The story came to light last month when Brian Lilley of Sun News Network’s program Byline showed a censored clip from the show.
The program, produced in France by a private company, was purchased by the CBC for an undisclosed amount and was made available on a Radio-Canada website called tou.tv.
Read the full story here.
Clip CBC’s wings ...
I had the dubious opportunity of viewing, on Sun News Network, a pornographic video called Hard that was purchased by our esteemed CBC from a production company in France, for broadcast on the CBC French network. The morally corrupt CBC considers this deviant trash artistic!
Heritage Minister James Moore has denounced the CBC for this travesty of common sense and waste of taxpayer money. This is only one of many wasteful CBC exploits, including George Stromboulopoulos wining and dining celebrities with unaccounted-for taxpayer money at the recent Toronto Film Festival.
The CBC receives too much Canadian taxpayer money annually ($1.1 billion or two-thirds of its total budget last year). Why does CBC have funds to purchase porn and where is the indignation from our two federal NDP members? Do they condone public broadcaster pornography at taxpayer expense?
Read the full story here.
Heritage Minister James Moore has denounced the CBC for this travesty of common sense and waste of taxpayer money. This is only one of many wasteful CBC exploits, including George Stromboulopoulos wining and dining celebrities with unaccounted-for taxpayer money at the recent Toronto Film Festival.
The CBC receives too much Canadian taxpayer money annually ($1.1 billion or two-thirds of its total budget last year). Why does CBC have funds to purchase porn and where is the indignation from our two federal NDP members? Do they condone public broadcaster pornography at taxpayer expense?
Read the full story here.
Success Story: CBC pulls soft porn program after complaints ...
State funded broadcaster CBC cancelled their soft-core porn web show ‘Hard’ on their French language website in Quebec after complaints from the public, including readers of the ARPA website. Members of parliament including Prime Minister Harper and Heritage Minister James Moore raised questions about the show prompting CBC to cancel it. The story came to light last month when Brian Lilley of Sun News Network’s program Byline showed a censored clip from the show.
According to LifeSiteNet a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, issued a statement saying, “This content is clearly adult in nature and should not be available to children. While the government doesn’t control CBC’s content, we are confused by their decision to purchase sexually explicit content and make it available to children. The CBC’s mandate is to deliver quality programming to the regions and rural areas, not this material.”
Read the full story here.
According to LifeSiteNet a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, issued a statement saying, “This content is clearly adult in nature and should not be available to children. While the government doesn’t control CBC’s content, we are confused by their decision to purchase sexually explicit content and make it available to children. The CBC’s mandate is to deliver quality programming to the regions and rural areas, not this material.”
Read the full story here.
Time to Move Out: The case for selling the CBC ...
Canadian Centre for Policy Studies
According to its 2010-2011 annual report, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation received a total of $1.16 billion in government funding in 2011. To put the number into perspective, that is 3.6 percent of the entire federal budget deficit forecast by the finance department for the fiscal year 2011-2012. At the same time the CBC raised $367.7 million in advertising revenues. After factoring in such items as “specialty services, other income and financing income” the corporation managed to raise almost $650 million for a net revenue of $1.8 billion. Nonetheless, the corporation still managed to report a loss of $24.7 million.
Is this sort of expenditure justified? David Krayden argues not.
Read the full story here.
According to its 2010-2011 annual report, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation received a total of $1.16 billion in government funding in 2011. To put the number into perspective, that is 3.6 percent of the entire federal budget deficit forecast by the finance department for the fiscal year 2011-2012. At the same time the CBC raised $367.7 million in advertising revenues. After factoring in such items as “specialty services, other income and financing income” the corporation managed to raise almost $650 million for a net revenue of $1.8 billion. Nonetheless, the corporation still managed to report a loss of $24.7 million.
Is this sort of expenditure justified? David Krayden argues not.
Read the full story here.
CBC forced to defend budget, relevance in parliament ...
Canada’s national broadcaster found itself under fire from several fronts Tuesday, as it was forced to defend its economic value and societal relevance while the country’s access-to-information watchdog suggested the broadcaster may be automatically denying information requests.
At a parliamentary committee, CBC president and CEO Hubert Lacroix faced attacks from some MPs who slammed the broadcaster, questioning its objectivity, its appeal to the country’s diverse population and its worthiness of taxpayers’ dollars.
While the Tories promised that the CBC would be handed “maintain or increase” financial support, the broadcaster is now bracing for severe budget cuts of at least $100-million — or about 10% — of its annual allotment of about $1.1-billion.
Tory MP John Williamson suggested some Canadian viewers won’t benefit from more coverage, noting that CBC News’ viewership has steadily declined compared to its competitors.
He pointed to CBC’s evening news show, The National, as an example. While Global and CTV have recorded audiences of more than one million people, CBC’s viewership has decreased to only half a million, Williamson said.
Read the full story here.
At a parliamentary committee, CBC president and CEO Hubert Lacroix faced attacks from some MPs who slammed the broadcaster, questioning its objectivity, its appeal to the country’s diverse population and its worthiness of taxpayers’ dollars.
While the Tories promised that the CBC would be handed “maintain or increase” financial support, the broadcaster is now bracing for severe budget cuts of at least $100-million — or about 10% — of its annual allotment of about $1.1-billion.
Tory MP John Williamson suggested some Canadian viewers won’t benefit from more coverage, noting that CBC News’ viewership has steadily declined compared to its competitors.
He pointed to CBC’s evening news show, The National, as an example. While Global and CTV have recorded audiences of more than one million people, CBC’s viewership has decreased to only half a million, Williamson said.
Read the full story here.
Fifth Estate film found at fault for unfounded facts and false impressions ...
If you thought that headline was a mouthful, try swallowing a damages award of $950,000 and a costs award over $800,000 as the CBC had to in the libel lawsuit brought by Dr. Frans Leenan.
After winning his case in Ontario’s Superior Court, Dr. Leenen said, ‘Four years ago we proposed to settle this law suit for $10,000 and an on-air apology. It was refused…The Fifth Estate persisted and took me through 10 weeks of trial.’
The trial judge awarded very high damages for libel against The Fifth Estate and the CBC as well as individual reporters and producers. The CBC appealed. Ontario’s Court of Appeal disagreed with the CBC, and ruled that Dr. Leenen had been libelled. Finally, the CBC tried to take the case to Canada’s highest court, the Supreme Court of Canada.
Read the full story here.
After winning his case in Ontario’s Superior Court, Dr. Leenen said, ‘Four years ago we proposed to settle this law suit for $10,000 and an on-air apology. It was refused…The Fifth Estate persisted and took me through 10 weeks of trial.’
The trial judge awarded very high damages for libel against The Fifth Estate and the CBC as well as individual reporters and producers. The CBC appealed. Ontario’s Court of Appeal disagreed with the CBC, and ruled that Dr. Leenen had been libelled. Finally, the CBC tried to take the case to Canada’s highest court, the Supreme Court of Canada.
Read the full story here.
Watching the Watchdog: CTV Bests CBC on National News ...
Veteran television producer Tim Knight contributes a regular blog to HuffPost, analyzing and rating the top broadcast news shows in Canada.
Verdict -- Compared to CBC's The National last night, this is a cleaner, neater, tighter, better paced, and better-written news program. Even so, there's too much narrating over edits and when that's done, we stop listening to the words for a moment. That's because, for humans, video is more powerful than audio and we're forced to concentrate on the pictures rather than the words.
Read the full story here.
PS - and CTV doesn't get over a BILLION dollars of taxpayer money (a year) to get this win!
Verdict -- Compared to CBC's The National last night, this is a cleaner, neater, tighter, better paced, and better-written news program. Even so, there's too much narrating over edits and when that's done, we stop listening to the words for a moment. That's because, for humans, video is more powerful than audio and we're forced to concentrate on the pictures rather than the words.
Read the full story here.
PS - and CTV doesn't get over a BILLION dollars of taxpayer money (a year) to get this win!
CBC actively preparing for budget cuts, vice-president says ...
Kirstine Stewart describes herself as an optimistic person, but even she – CBC’s executive vice-president of English Services – is finding the public broadcaster’s current challenges “very stressful.”
The CBC receives $1.1-billion in federal funding and has been getting a $60-million top-up annually since 2001. But like other government departments, agencies and Crown corporations, it has been told to expect funding cuts in the next budget.
The corporation is preparing for three scenarios: a 5 per cent cut, a 10 per cent cut, or a 10 per cent cut plus the elimination of the top-up funding.
“We are looking at our programming, our overhead, all different areas within the business to see what we can do,” Stewart said. “So that activity is going on right now.”
Read the full story here.
PS - it's YOUR tax money - what do YOU think?
The CBC receives $1.1-billion in federal funding and has been getting a $60-million top-up annually since 2001. But like other government departments, agencies and Crown corporations, it has been told to expect funding cuts in the next budget.
The corporation is preparing for three scenarios: a 5 per cent cut, a 10 per cent cut, or a 10 per cent cut plus the elimination of the top-up funding.
“We are looking at our programming, our overhead, all different areas within the business to see what we can do,” Stewart said. “So that activity is going on right now.”
Read the full story here.
PS - it's YOUR tax money - what do YOU think?
CBC faces 10% hit in $8-billion slash to budget spending ...
Far from tempering spending cuts to ease the sting of recent political setbacks, the Conservative government intends to double down on fiscal austerity in the March 29 budget, cutting departmental spending across the board by closer to 10% than 5% and slashing the total operating budget by close to $8-billion, including a cut of at least 10% to the CBC.
The CBC meantime, which has an annual budget of $1.1-billion, faces a cut of at least $110-million and possibly more. Some Conservatives are pushing for even deeper cuts to the national broadcaster, based on the argument that, though the radio news service is clearly a must-have in the Far North and more generally in rural areas, CBC television is not as essential. On the immediate chopping block is a $60-million programming “top-up” that the broadcaster has received annually since 2001.
Full story click here.
The Biases of the CBC ...
The documentary by the Free Thinking Film Society that CBC executives definitely don't want you to see!
Featuring expert analysis by:
Featuring expert analysis by:
Mike Fegelman HonestReporting Canada
Stephen Taylor National Citizens Coalition
Brian Lilley Sun News Network
Eric Duhaime Le Journal de Montreal
David Krayden Canadian Centre for Policy Studies.
For more info, click here.
CBC & The Hockey Theme ...
In June 2004 Kevin Kemp was retained by Dolores Claman - the composer of the Hockey Theme - to pursue legal action against the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) for copyright infringement.
A Statement of Claim was issued against CBC in November, 2004 and, over the next several years the litigation proceeded through various examinations and interlocutory motions.
On May 29, 2008 a mediation was conducted before former Ontario Superior Court Justice George Adams. The mediation did not result in a resolution.
On June 4, 2008 Dolores Claman announced that the CBC intended to drop the Hockey Theme at the conclusion of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The extensive media coverage that followed included denials by CBC that it intended to drop the theme.
On Monday June 9, 2008 CTV announced that it had acquired the exclusive rights to the Hockey Theme in perpetuity.
Read more here.
A Statement of Claim was issued against CBC in November, 2004 and, over the next several years the litigation proceeded through various examinations and interlocutory motions.
On May 29, 2008 a mediation was conducted before former Ontario Superior Court Justice George Adams. The mediation did not result in a resolution.
On June 4, 2008 Dolores Claman announced that the CBC intended to drop the Hockey Theme at the conclusion of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The extensive media coverage that followed included denials by CBC that it intended to drop the theme.
On Monday June 9, 2008 CTV announced that it had acquired the exclusive rights to the Hockey Theme in perpetuity.
Read more here.
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