Regulatory solution needed to end television feud

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is concerned about the level of uncertainty concerning the ongoing presence of local television and cable services in our community and markets across the country.

In addition we are concerned the tone of the battle for public opinion is inflammatory and not helping to resolve the issues.

Across the country local television stations in smaller markets are in jeopardy of closure. In Victoria, we feel that acutely as we are home to two local stations in jeopardy.

Local television is important to local business, providing an advertising medium dedicated to reaching their local target markets.

Local television is also important to the community as a whole as it provides organizations such as the United Way, hospital foundations, and smaller grass roots organizations opportunity to promote community fundraising initiatives.

Without local television the richness of our communities is sadly diminished. Maintaining television services relies upon the provision of strong local cable services.

The cable companies too provide a valuable service both through the delivery of content and provision of broadband Internet access. Cable companies are valuable members of our community and support a wide variety of community programming.

The desired outcome is to create a regulatory environment with fair trade practices that will allow both of these important media to thrive.

The technology framework and communication medium that have evolved since the CRTC first licensed cable have changed drastically.

The CRTC needs to make substantive regulatory change based on free enterprise principles that will allow the various mediums to compete for the available business.

The inflammatory advertisements designed to polarize the consumers should be suspended immediately. We require a regulatory solution that will foster fair competition between the cable and television providers.

Bruce Carter is chief executive officer of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

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