CRTC to Blogger on the issue of Radio-Canada Russian Style of Television in New Brunswick!!!

Dear Mr. LeBlanc: Thank you for contacting the CRTC with your concerns that Radio-Canada Acadie has decided not to invite Mr. David Coon, leader of the Parti Vert N.B. to a scheduled debate. The CRTC ensures that broadcasters serve the Canadian public during elections, so that citizens can make informed choices on election day. (http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/b309.htm ) Broadcasters in Canada covering elections must give all candidates, parties and issues equitable treatment. Equitable does not mean equal, rather it means that all candidates and parties get some air time to share their ideas on issues with the public. Equitable treatment applies to free and paid advertising, news coverage and public affairs programming, including debates. Debate programs do not have to include all parties or candidates. However, broadcasters need to ensure that, in general, they are informing their audiences on the positions of candidates and parties on the main issues in a reasonable manner. On 27 August 2014, the CRTC published guidelines for television and radio broadcasters serving New Brunswick. These guidelines address the rules and responsibilities of broadcasters during the period leading up to the 22 September 2014 provincial election: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2014/2014-442.htm In the guidelines, you will note in the final paragraph of the section entitled, “Equity in Public Affairs Programming” that the CRTC does not require that broadcasters include all parties or candidates as part of the debates. The broadcaster will have satisfied its balance requirements if reasonable steps are taken to inform their audience on the main issues and the positions of all candidates and parties through their public affairs programs generally. I trust the previous has been helpful in explaining both the nature and the extent of broadcasters’ responsibilities with respect to broadcasts occurring during election periods. IMPORTANT NOTE: To respond to this message, please click here and follow the prompts: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/rapidsccm/landing.asp?lang=E&caseid=678204&key=42398.1772255401 Sincerely, Lynda Daigle Client Services | Services à la clientèle Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission | Conseil de la radiodiffusion et des télécommunications canadiennes Ottawa, Canada K1A 0N2 Telephone | Téléphone 1-877-249-2782 / TTY | ATS 1-877-909-CRTC (2782) Outside Canada | Hors Canada 819-997-0313 / TTY | ATS 819-994-0423 Facsimile / Télécopieur 819-994-0218 Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada http://www.crtc.gc.ca Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/CRTCeng | Suivez-nous sur Twitter https://twitter.com/CRTCfra