Broadcast news

It seems all too likely that the Cons have utterly abandoned any sense of accountability now that they're in power. But just in case there's any interest in pushing toward more accountability, the NDP is pushing to have some applied to the CBC's governance among other changes to Canada's broadcasting system:

(T)he NDP has released a four-point plan that will serve as a road map for pushing cultural issues through the 39th Parliament.

The “Four Point Plan for Broadcast Sovereignty” includes the following priorities:
- Change the Governance Structure of CBC Board of Directors -- ending the patronage appointment process and giving the Board the power to hire or fire the CEO.
- Ensure stable long term funding to expand regional programming.
- Maintain clear limits on foreign ownership of Canadian airwaves.
- Restore the obligation of Canadian broadcasters to promote home-grown drama.

Granted, the Cons seem more likely to see the CBC as an enemy rather than an institution worth supporting - no matter how clearly it's shown that the CBC's coverage is fair on the whole. But surely even the most rabid right-wing ideologue can recognize the value in at least improving the CBC's governance processes. And at best, there may yet be a chance that the Cons could be willing to combine that effort with the preservation of some semblance of Canadian control over our own media.