From reading the transcripts, it must have been an entertaining time in Winnipeg last Wednesday when the CRTC was looking at how to deal with erratic conformance from Harmony Broadcasting – radio station CJVW.
The station was in violation of its conditions of license and it ignored a variety of CRTC orders to bring it into conformance. The station closed in October, the company was dissolved, but then revived with an apparent change in control – absent CRTC approval. to it was sold.
But, as a campus station, one has to wonder how it could be sold in the first place.
The Commission has called Harmony to this Public Hearing to show cause as to why additional mandatory orders requiring the licensee to conform to the Regulations and to its Conditions of Licence should not be issued, why the Commission should not suspend or revoke Harmony’s licence under sections 9 and 24 of the Broadcasting Act, and why prior Commission approval for the apparent change of control is not required.
In the event that prior approval is required, the licensee is expected to show cause as to why the Commission should grant its approval to the change in control and why further measures, such as suspension or revocation of Harmony’s licence, are not warranted.
There is more.
Lots of intrigue at the opening – questions about who really owns the company, requests for subpoenas. surprise motions. This was not your average broadcast hearing.
Maybe some production company will look at creating a reality TV show modeled after the People’s Court blended with Canadian Idol. Regulatory cases will be presented and then home viewers will vote. A warning – the language in this episode would require the show to be aired after the kids are in bed.
Most of the time, going through regulatory transcripts is worse than reading instructions on how to fill out your tax return.
This one is an exception.
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