If you have ever attended a taping of The Hour, then you have likely heard George Stroumboulopoulos prompt bashful audience members, in his own unique way, to ask questions by commenting "you're paying for this s**t". As taxpayers, we do indeed fund our public broadcaster. Yesterday a story on the CBC's website noted that the broadcaster receives approximately $33 annually per taxpayer. From my perspective, I am getting a great return for my investment. However, there are some people who would disagree. It's hard to please all of the people all of the time.
Equally hard is facing the reality of the current economic climate. Our public broadcaster is not immune to a problem many Canadians currently face: simply not being able to make ends meet. Reports over the last few days suggest that the CBC is facing a massive budget shortfall as a direct result of reduced advertising revenue, combined with increased operating costs.
In reading about the CBC's woes, one thing that has been glaring to me, is the contrary comments of our Federal Heritage Minister James Moore. In one statement, Moore says "I don't like it when I see the CBC cancelling Canadian content, and we see Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune". In another he points out that he feels that the CBC should have to work out it's own problems like broadcasters in the private sector, remarking that it is not for him "to tell the CBC how to run itself". I'm confused Mr. Minister, which is it?
The fact is that the advertising revenue generated by hugely popular US-origin shows such as Jeopardy! (hosted by a Canadian Alex Trebek) can help subsidize the homegrown efforts. Producing relevent and fresh Canadian content costs money. The government holds on tight to the purse strings and has for well over a decade. Few taxpayers would be willing to see that annual $33 substantially increase. In a recent Harris-Decima poll overall "a bare majority believe the government should provide bridge funding to the CBC". This issue is indeed complex and coming up with a solution will not be easy.
So, what do think?
Should the government extend additional funding to help the
CBC through the current financial crisis?
Is it wrong for Canada's public broadcaster to generate advertising
revenue using some US programming?
If the CBC has to make programming cuts, what should go? What should stay?
