CRTC announces new policy to strengthen the community and campus radio sector

OTTAWA-GATINEAU, July 22 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today introduced a new policy for community and campus radio stations. The policy provides this sector with stable funding, and emphasizes the importance of local reflection as well as the participation of volunteers in all areas of a station's operations.

"Community and campus radio stations serve a distinct need within the broadcasting system," said Michel Arpin, the CRTC's Vice-Chairman of Broadcasting. "In the years to come, these stations will have access to predictable funding so that they may continue to offer local information, give exposure to emerging Canadian artists and provide opportunities for volunteers to participate in the broadcasting system."

The Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) will see its annual funding increase by over $700,000, which will be distributed among the more than 140 community and campus radio stations. Created in 2007, the CRFC is a not-for-profit organization that supports the development of non-commercial, community-based broadcasters.

The funds will be supplied by commercial radio broadcasters through a reallocation of the contributions they must make each year toward the development of Canadian content. As such, this initiative will benefit the campus and community radio sector at no additional cost to the commercial radio sector.

The Commission will also provide campus radio stations with greater flexibility by replacing hourly advertising limits with weekly limits.

Finally, the Commission took steps to simplify its licensing regime and to harmonize as much as possible the regulations for community and campus radio stations.

Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-499

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2010/2010-499.htm

The CRTC

The CRTC is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.

Reference document: Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2009-418

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-418.htm

These documents are available in alternative format upon request.

For further information: Media Relations: http://support.crtc.gc.ca/CRTCSubmissionMU/forms/Mediarelations.aspx?lang=e, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]; General Inquiries: Tel: [phone], TDD: 819-994-0423, Fax: [phone], Toll-free No. 1-877-249-CRTC (2782), TDD - Toll-free No. 1-877-909-CRTC (2782), http://crtc.gc.ca/RapidsCCM/Register.asp?lang=E