CRTC’s dilemma: balance consumer and telecom’s feelings on broadcast’s future
TORONTO — A warning from Canada’s biggest media companies that their survival is under threat from unregulated foreign rivals and illicit content pirates has sparked a massive influx of submissions to the federal telecommunications regulator from consumers with little sympathy for their cause.
Midway through a 30-day public consultation that is open until March 1, more than 5,440 responses have been posted with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission — predominantly focused on one issue.
There’s been a huge outpouring of criticism against an anti-piracy proposal launched last month by a coalition led by BCE Inc., the owner of the CTV television network and specialty channels such as TSN.
“Those numbers are pretty remarkable,” said University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist, an outspoken critic of the industry’s calls for increased protections.