Newsroom

Press Releases

Producers Call for National New Media Content Strategy

Ottawa, February 24, 2009 – The Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) today urged the CRTC to embrace a forward-looking vision for broadcasting in new media that puts Canadian content at its centre and that seizes the economic and cultural opportunities that it offers.  The CFTPA made the comments in its appearance at the CRTC’s Review of Canadian Broadcasting in New Media hearings in Gatineau, Quebec.

“Canadian new media is at a crossroads. The CRTC has a unique opportunity to promote the creation of Canadian independent new media content and strengthen this sector’s global competitive position,” says Guy Mayson, the CFTPA’s President and CEO.

“Canadian independent producers are key to ensuring diversity in the multi-platform environment and, indeed, they are a critical component of the new creative economy,” says Barbara Jones, President and Executive Producer of SailorJones Media.  “We create value in the digital marketplace by merging creativity with technology to develop, finance and market Canadian content, often on a global scale. We need better support to succeed in these expanding markets.”

“The current Canadian funding streams are important but far too small to develop a critical mass of Canadian new media content,” adds Mark Bishop, Co-founder of the multi-platform company marblemedia and Executive Producer of award-winning projects such as This is Daniel Cook, This is Emily Yeung and deafplanet.com. “The CRTC must take a holistic view of the current landscape and build on the value the independent production sector can bring by creating quality new media content.”

The CFTPA believes new media broadcasting should remain exempt from government regulation.  But, the Association states, new measures need to be put in place to promote Canadian new media content.  Specifically:

• Large Internet service providers (ISPs) and incumbent wireless service providers (WSPs) should be required to contribute a small percentage of their gross revenues to create a fund for the development, creation and promotion of high-quality Canadian new media broadcasting content;

• The CRTC needs to ensure a sustainable and predictable business environment for new media producers by mandating the conclusion of “Terms of Trade” agreements between broadcasters and producers; and,

• Independent producers must be encouraged to innovate in new media. New funding measures to create and develop Canadian content will help strengthen Canadian companies.

The CFTPA has also requested the opportunity to appear before the Commission for its Review of the Internet traffic management practices of Internet service providers when it convenes in July.  The CFTPA believes independent producers must have unfettered access to the Internet in order to deliver their content to Canadians and consumers around the world.  ISPs must not be able to use discriminatory practices that would enable them to become the gatekeepers of the Internet.

In a medium increasingly dominated by US content, there exists an opportunity to foster a much stronger capacity for the creation of quality Canadian programming.  A stronger independent new media content creation sector will help ensure we are able to take a wide range of content to Canadians and ultimately bring Canada to the world.

About us:
The CFTPA is a non-profit trade organization that works on behalf of almost 400 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and interactive media products in all regions of Canada.  More specifically, it promotes the general interests of its members provincially, federally, and internationally; negotiates and manages labour agreements with guilds and unions; administers copyright collectives; trains new industry entrants through various internship programs; and undertakes a number of other specific initiatives that help increase awareness and enhance communication within the Canadian and international production communities.

-30-

For further information contact:
Anne Trueman, Director of Communications and Media, CFTPA 
T: (613) 233-1444 x 227,  C: (613) 851-4538