48. Name: Marilyn Mercer Title: Saying “No” by Saying “Yes”: The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunication Commission’s Precedent-Setting Decision on Al Jazeera, 15 July 2004 Institution: Carleton University Country: Canada Date: 2009 Language: English Abstract: This is a case study that looks at how the Canadian Radio, television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved a proposal by cable and satellite service providers to distribute the content of the Arabic-language TV news channel Al Jazeera to Canadian viewers. During the debates that preceded the CRTC decision, it was noticed that pro-Israel lobbyists campaigned in various ways against the approval of Al Jazeera channel and opposed it. Unprecedented restrictions in the CRTC’s July 2004 decision required Canadian carriers to block any possible abusive comment found within Al Jazeera programming before distributing it. Despite demand for daily news from the Arab world, Canadian carriers have yet to offer the channel to any would- be subscriber. This study suggests that the Commission calculated such a result to avoid violation of Canada’s hate laws and to protect the regulator against a Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge based on freedom of expression by those wishing to receive Al Jazeera broadcasting. Losing such a challenge could have weakened CRTC power when changing global technology and market development were leading many to question its role and relevance.
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