Presidency of TV5: Switzerland passes the torch in Canada
OTTAWA, Nov. 24, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced that Canada will take over the presidency of TV5 for the next two years, starting in January 2018.
Switzerland—which held the presidency in 2016 and 2017—passed the torch to Canada, which will now host the conference of responsible ministers and the annual meeting of senior officials. The last time Canada held the presidency was in 2008–09.
TV5 offers a unique international showcase for the Francophonie through its French-language television production. It promotes cultural diversity while reflecting its multilateral dimension. The channel also promotes the exchange and export of programs between French-speaking countries and is a special forum for cooperation between broadcasting partners. Canada sees the Francophonie as an important forum that allows it to make a significant contribution to major international issues.
Canada, which joined the partnership in 1986, benefits greatly from this collaboration. In addition to bringing national and international visibility to the country, this collaboration gives Canadian creators, artists and craftspeople a powerful platform.
Quotes
"Canada is proud to take on the presidency of TV5 for the next two years. Promoting the richness, vitality and values of the Francophonie is a priority for the Government of Canada. This partnership allows us to continue to work together to promote the Canadian and international Francophonie, as well as to advance its foreign and development policy priorities."
—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage
"We commend the work of the Swiss presidency over the past two years, as well as the work of all the partners in promoting the creativity, originality and diversity that drive French-speakers across the globe. We look forward to continuing this commitment with Canada as it assumes the presidency in 2018 and 2019. We know that its determination will help us and encourage us to continue our development and the discoverability of our shared programs in a digital world that is more competitive than ever and where the reliability of information is a major challenge for all of our societies."
—Yves Bigot, CEO, TV5 Monde
Quick Facts
Managed by two television channel providers, TV5MONDE and TV5 Québec Canada, TV5 is the largest French-language television network in the world.
TV5MONDE operates TV5 signals worldwide (with the exception of Canada). It reaches 354 million homes in 200 countries and territories, and more than 41 million viewers watch it every week.
TV5 Québec Canada operates the TV5 signal in Canada and reaches more than 10.3 million homes.
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Video of Minister Joly accepting the TV5 presidency on behalf of Canada - Not yet produced (TBD)
Associated links
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
For further information: (media only), please contact: : Simon Ross, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]
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