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May 21, 2009
Mr. Konrad von Finckenstein
Dear Mr. Chairman: Re: Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2009-254 I am writing on behalf of the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations (NCCAR) in support of the application of the Ethnic Channels Group Limited (ECGL) to distribute Al Jazeera English (AJE) digitally in Canada. NCCAR is a charitable organization comprised of Canadians of diverse backgrounds which consults broadly and advises on Canada-Arab relations on a national and international basis. NCCAR's mission is to build ties between Canadians and the people of the Arab world in order to develop stronger relations and cooperation between them as well as an appreciation of their common values. We support AJE in Canada for the following reasons: • Canadians need to have access to varied sources of information in order to build their own understanding of the world, as the AJE viewers in 100 countries across five continents do. Conversely, denying Canadians access to AJE would put them at a disadvantage internationally • AJE offers quality news and discussion services that would provide a useful and different perspective on world events to Canadians, one that is not available on other Canadian or foreign channels available in Canada. • Many Canadians have economic and other interests in the Middle East and have therefore a thirst for news, views and general information from the region. Conversely, denying them this service would to undermine their right to equal access and opportunity within our multicultural society. • The multicultural, multi-ethnic AJE has sensitivities and understanding that reflect our multicultural Canadian society. Its reporters, Canadians amongst them, cover places that Canadians may not call home anymore but with which they still have links: Africa, South America, Asia, etc., places around the world that rarely get covered by mainstream news services. • Freedom of expression is fundamental in a free, pluralistic and democratic society . Conversely, CRTC's denial of ECGL's application to include AJE on its members' digital cable service would have the purpose and effect of restricting freedom of expression. • Under domestic and international law, the right to free expression has been interpreted to include the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds subject only to necessary restrictions provided by the law. Therefore, we respectfully request that CRTC authorise ECGL to carry AJE on its digital-cable service, without any restriction.
Bahija Réghaï |
