Radio-Canada Faces Parliamentary Inquiry Over Prime Video Deal
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The future of information at Radio-Canada is under scrutiny as Marie-Philippe Bouchard, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, is set to appear before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. This follows a unanimous motion inviting her to explain the decision to make ICI RDI and CBC News Network available on Prime Video, the platform owned by American giant Amazon.
Bloc Québécois Raises Concerns
The motion was initiated by Bloc Québécois MP Martin Champoux, who expressed understanding of the desire to reach a wider audience but questioned the prioritization of an American platform over Canadian ones. “It’s very difficult to justify offering this channel continuously on an American platform…before it’s offered in priority on a Canadian-owned platform,” Champoux stated. He emphasized the importance of Quebecers and French speakers across Canada having access to RDI on a Canadian platform, such as TOU.TV, for which Canadians already pay.
Calls for Broader Testimony
Conservative MP Bernard Généreux proposed an additional two-hour meeting to hear from other witnesses related to the decision. He highlighted a recent open letter published in La Presse, signed by six former Radio-Canada employees and executives, criticizing the move. “There’s an absolute nonsense in this story…and I think we should give a voice to other people, and not just Radio-Canada,” Généreux added.
Radio-Canada Defends Decision
Dany Meloul, Vice President of French Services at Radio-Canada, defended the decision in an interview on ICI Première’s Tout un matin, citing the growing number of people who are not subscribed to cable television. Radio-Canada spokesperson Marc Pichette indicated via email last Thursday that making ICI RDI accessible via ICI TOU.TV is being considered and work is currently underway.
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