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Outgoing CRTC Head Says Technology Is Eroding Canadian Culture

Posted by samzenpus on from the one-of-us-one-of-us dept.

Patchw0rk F0g writes "Canada's outgoing CRTC head, Konrad von Finckenstein, has some choice words for his successor: Internet and wireless technology has disarmed federal regulators of their weapons to protect cultural identity. The retiring Finckenstein cites over-the-top broadcasting, new Internet technologies and (perhaps most importantly) the fact that the CRTC is antiquated and can't keep up with these emerging technologies as factors in the (still)-growing culture-loss of Canada to the U.S. 'We have now moved into an era where the consumer is in control, and where thanks to the Internet and mobile devices, you cannot control access any more,' he said in one of his last interviews."

3 of 404 comments (clear)

  1. bad thing? by fish_in_the_c · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The consumer ( aka normal people) are in control of their own decisions about information and culture?
    Oh no, whatever will we do.

    --
    âoeTolerance applies only to persons, but never to truth. Intolerance applies only to truth, but never to persons.
  2. As a Canadian... by Sepultura · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As a Canadian, here's the solution I'd suggest:
    Stop trying to force Canadian content on Canadians!
    If the content is good and provides something consumers want then it'll be a success. If it's Canadian-created filler crap then it won't, regardless of how forcefully it's stuffed down our throats.

    And don't claim that Canadian content can't be successful on it's own because that's just bullshit. Just look at the music industry to see lots of Canadian content that's successful south of the border for the most glaring example.

  3. Because Canada has a "little brother" problem by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Basically Canada is still going through issues trying to figure out what it means to be Canadian. A large part of how many Canadians seem to define themselves as as "not American" hence the "little brother" syndrome I talk about. They are like a little kid who is saying what they are is the things the big kid is not.

    This isn't such a problem for the average man on the street, of course, but it is a big issue for the government and various folks. They have a real issue with trying to decide what it is to be Canadian and protecting that. There are even things like laws requiring a certain amount of content on TV and radio to be Canadian in origin.