Radio interview

Paul Baines

A couple of weeks ago I was interviewed for a Radio Canada international program: Spotlight.

Check the link below to hear the program - it's about 30 min - most of it being a prepared report on the state of community TV (mostly in Quebec).

I think the program is a good example of how disorganized community channel advocates are in Canada -- AND -- when it comes to solutions - only mild, semi-commercial, and community 'showcasing' ideas come forth. The connection between community TV and progressive social change (the point of Kim Goldberg's 1992 book) and most importantly the issue of power (who doesn't get to speak and on what) not only seems to be lost on the CRTC, the TV industry, but on many of the 'advocates' for its survival.

When the new policy does come down - any bets on:

• If it allows more community TV stations to be managed democratically.
• If they will seek out voices that challenge the status quo.
• Will they provide not only media tech training but also some critical literacy opportunities?
• Will Canada's 6.2 billion-dollar ad industry have to give up one cent for non-commercial media (since it subsidizes commercial media and censors free speech)?

See radio program at:
http://www.rcinet.ca and then scroll down the latest program - below this is a link for ARCHIVES, then look for the program on community television.

Paul Baines
pjbaines@yahoo.ca

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