CRTC increases funding to community and campus radio stations
By Adnews Staff
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has introduced a new policy for community and campus radio stations intended to provide these broadcasters with more stable funding and to emphasize their importance to their communities. The policy will increase the annual funding of the Community Radio Fund of Canada by $700,000, which will be distributed among approximately 140 community and campus radio stations. The funds will be supplied by commercial radio broadcasters through a reallocation of their annual contributions toward the development of Canadian content. The policy also replaces hourly advertising limits at campus radio stations with weekly limits. The policy also acts to simplify the commissions's licensing regime and to harmonize the regulations for community and campus radio stations. "Community and campus radio stations serve a distinct need within the broadcasting system," said Michel Arpin, vice-chairman of broadcasting at the CRTC. "In the years to come, these stations will have access to predictable funding so that they may continue to offer local information, give exposure to emerging Canadian artists and provide opportunities for volunteers to participate in the broadcasting system."