The French language public radio and television service called
Radio-Canada has announced a budget reduction of $90 million and
layoffs of 654 workers. These cuts affect every major city in the
country with some city operations, such as in the West, shutting
down altogether and being consolidated in Winnipeg.
The radio service of Radio-Canada faces a $20 million budget
cut and a loss of one-third of its personnel by 1998, from 1,050
workers to 700. The cuts are so severe for 14 regional radio
stations - where 240 positions will be lost, half in Montreal -
there is concern from some for the future survival of those
stations as viable operations.
Radio-Canada's TV newscasts will be interrupted every four
minutes by commercials in order to save up to 50 journalism jobs
and generate $4 million. There will be 304 layoffs at the TV
service, leaving it with 2,200 employees. $70 million will be
reduced from its budget.
Recently, CBC president Perrin Beatty announced that 2,500
more jobs will be eliminated and $127 million more will be cut from
the overall CBC budget by 1998. The latest round of reductions
brings the total cuts to the CBC between 1995 and 1998 to $414
million and 4,000 workers.
At one time it was extremely profitable and useful for the
bourgeoisie to build up the public broadcasting system. They made
money from it and helped consolidate their control over the
country. In the early days of broadcasting it was extremely
expensive in Canada to construct a far-flung communications network
and public money was freely used. At this time, public money is
needed by the financial oligarchy in other more profitable areas
and private broadcasters want the available space on radio and
television for their own purposes. As well, the private
broadcasters want the available advertizing dollars for themselves.
The demise of the CBC proves that the bourgeoisie does whatever
suits its drive for maximum profits. Under modern conditions it is
up to the working class to seize the banner of the nation in both
Quebec and Canada and build sovereign nations in its own image.
Shawgi Tell
University at Buffalo
Graduate School of Education
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
