Global internet giants should not be allowed to write their own rules: ACTRA
Toronto, ON (June 5, 2018) — ACTRA says Canadian performers are ready to work with a new expert panel that will review the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Acts to ensure that global tech giants contribute to Canadian storytelling.
“As technology changes, global internet giants should not be allowed to write their own rules,” said ACTRA National Executive Director Stephen Waddell. “We’re happy to see a commitment by government that ensures digital players in the broadcasting market contribute to production of Canadian stories. Thousands of jobs and our Canadian identity depend on it.”
“We have built a world-renowned creative industry in Canada. The Broadcasting Act has been key to that,” said Waddell. “The Broadcasting Act enshrined the concept that Canada’s broadcasting system should safeguard, enrich and strengthen the cultural, political, social and economic fabric of Canada. Now, as more and more Canadians watch programs on digital platforms, the government is recognizing that the new digital players should promote Canadian culture as well as contribute to Canadian production in the way that conventional broadcasters have.”
The government announced today that they will be striking an expert panel to conduct a review of both the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Acts. The panel follows a report from the CRTC last week, “Harnessing Change: The Future of Programming Distribution in Canada,” that called for new measures to ensure foreign digital broadcasters contribute to the production of Canadian content. To read ACTRA’s submissions regarding this report (CRTC Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-359), please visit www.actra.ca/advocacy/crtc.
About ACTRA
ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the national union of professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of over 25,000 members across the country – the foundation of Canada’s highly acclaimed professional performing community.
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Media Contact: Carol Taverner, ACTRA Public Relations Officer, tel: 416.644.1519, ctaverner@actra.ca