Is Canada About to Descend Into An America-Style Abyss by Cheapening Our Broadcast Regulations?

Below is my submission to the Canadian Radio, Television & Telecommunications Commission. That powerful body seems poised to grant the wishes of a parliamentary committee by loosening the rules governing truth and accuracy in broadcasting.
(Anyone detect the heavy hand of Stephen Harper in all of this? Naaaaa!) l.p.

 ==== 

  1.    Dear CRTC - I am a journalist specializing in stories about the environment, especially global warming. Your proposed changes concern me deeply because, among other things:
    2.    I fear they will provide yet another channel for climate skeptics/opportunists and fraudsters to peddle their lies and deception over a phenomenon which is real, which is happening now and which is posing a clear and present threat to this planet, not only for us but future generations, as well.
    3.    I also fear these changes would shamefully cheapen the noble profession of Canadian journalism with its long-accepted high standard of checks and balances on the truth and accuracy of reporting in the public interest.
    4.    These changes seem to prepare the way for American-style broadcasting, where kooks and cranks have free reign to inflict their poisonous lies and misinformation on the public.
    5.    I implore you - do your part in preserving Canada's proud tradition of fairness and honesty in broadcasting - PLEASE DO NOT PROCEED WITH THESE CHANGES.
    6.    Sincerely,
    7.    Larry Powell - Box 5 Grp 11 RR 1 ROBLIN - Manitoba- CA - R0L1P0

***End of document***

48 Hours to Save Canadian Journalism?

COMMENT: Patti wrote:
"This is just one in a long list of abuses and audacities that this PM and his government have perpetrated. How long are we going to stand for it? No credible opposition to challenge the abuses and no populace knowledgeable enough to vote this criminal and his party out." 


Dear friends across Canada,

Public protections against false and misleading news coverage could be destroyed by the CRTC -- paving the way for "Fox News North" to spread false information to the Canadian public that supports their political agenda. We have just two days to raise a national outcry and urge the CRTC to protect Canadian journalism!

Chevron Gets Dinged - Heavily!

		Chevron is guilty.  Tell CEO John Watson:  Clean up Ecuador NOW! Dear friend, Yesterday marked a historic day for corporate accountability. A judge in Ecuador found Chevron guilty of massive oil contamination in the Amazon rainforest and ordered the company to pay over $8 billion to clean it up. The verdict is the culmination of an 18-year struggle by the Indigenous and rural Ecuadoreans — the real heroes of this epic fight — who first sued Chevron to force the company to clean up its oily mess back in 1993. The battle is won, but the war for corporate accountability is far from over. Chevron has vowed to appeal the decision , and it’s all too clear that the company intends to never pay for its oil pollution in the Amazon. Tell Chevron CEO John Watson that enough is enough – Chevron needs to clean up Ecuador NOW. For 18 years the Ecuadorean plaintiffs have withstood the  impacts of Chevron’s pollution in the Amazon, as well as an unprecedented PR and legal campaign aimed at discrediting  them and minimizing the extent of the damage that’s been  done to their health and livelihoods. The evidence of the company’s guilt is overwhelming. It’s time for Chevron  to take responsibility for  its mess. John Watson needs to do the right thing and pledge  to clean up the Ecuadorean Amazon by complying  with the judgment in Ecuador. Some 1,400 people have  already died as a result of Chevron refusing to take  responsibility, and 30,000 more are at risk. The people  living with Chevron’s pollution can’t wait while the company  launches another PR campaign and attempts even more  dirty tricks and shady legal maneuvers to try and evade  its responsibility. Stand up for the people of Ecuador, for human rights,  and for corporate accountability:   Tell Chevron CEO John Watson to stop stalling  and clean up Ecuador NOW. For a cleaner future, Ginger, Maria, Linda, and Mike Change Chevron
Rainforest Action Network 221 Pine Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104 USA Phone: (415) 398-4404   Fax: (415) 398-2732
Forward to a Friend Click here to unsubscribe.

Oil Pipeline From Canada Stirring Anger in U.S. Great Plains

By David Goldstein | McClatchy Newspapers - Feb 14 - 2011

WASHINGTON — Crude oil from western Canada began flowing through a controversial pipeline in Kansas last week. Read more here.

PolluterHarmony - the #1 Matchmaking Site for Polluters - "Now in Canada"

Will Global Warming End Up in Court? A Climate Scientist Sues a Skeptic for Libel

February 8, 2011 - By JOHN COLLINS RUDOLF - New York Times.
A prominent Canadian climate scientist is suing a leading climate skeptic for libel, arguing that an article published online in January contained false and malicious claims. Read the rest here.

Andrew Weaver, climate scientist

Tim Ball , Climate Skeptic

Severe Drought Threatens Wheat Crop in China, World’s Largest Producer

Climate Progress - Feb 9, 2011

FAO also warns floods and heavy rains in Southern Africa "threaten food security."

Reuters - A Chinese farmer on dry farmland 

in Shandong Province, in January.