Media Centre > News Releases > 2003 > February 6, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Task Force for Cultural Diversity Announces Comprehensive Research Strategy

Ottawa, February 6, 2003 --- The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) Task Force on Cultural Diversity announced today it will be undertaking one of the most comprehensive studies on cultural diversity ever done, anywhere.

“This issue is an important issue for the CAB and that is why the CAB’s Task Force on Cultural Diversity has taken an extremely pro-active approach on this issue,” said Sylvie Courtemanche, CAB Executive Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs at the State of the Industry session at the Canadian Film and Television Production Association’s annual conference.

In December, the Task Force contracted the team of Solutions Research Group/Johnston and Buchan, LLP to carry out comprehensive research that will assist the industry in measuring the current state of portrayal and representation of cultural diversity on private television. The research will involve an inclusive and wide ranging consultation process.

The Task Force is comprised of nine members, five industry and four non-industry representatives. The Task Force Co-chair for industry is Madeline Ziniak, Vice–President and Station Manager for Omni Television and the non-industry Co-chair is Beverly J. Oda. A complete list of the Task Force membership is attached.

“This is an increasingly important issue that needs to be examined,” said Ms. Ziniak. “Broadcasters and communities alike respect the need for the reflection of today’s Canada. The combination of community representatives and broadcasters will ensure that all aspects of this subject are fully discussed and that communities are consulted.”

“Canadian society is increasingly becoming racially and culturally diverse and our role is to commission research that will help define the issues and present practical solutions that contribute to television programming that accurately reflects cultural and racial minorities and Aboriginal peoples and communities,” said Ms. Oda.

The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) is the national voice of Canada’s private broadcasters, representing the vast majority of Canadian programming services, including private radio and television stations, networks, specialty, pay and pay-per-view services.

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For additional information, please contact:

Susan Tolusso
Director, Communications
(613) 233-4035 ext. 331
(stolusso@cab-acr.ca)