Bloated CBC must pull in reins
Published Friday February 27th, 2009
There is a recession, so as soon as it feels a pinch our publicly owned and financed CBC runs to the Ottawa trough and asks for more money, another sign the bloated CBC is out of touch with Canadians and the reality of Canada, despite its mandate to reflect Canada to Canadians.
Global has laid off 560 employees. CTV laid off 150 and just yesterday closed two of its Ontario stations. But the CBC just moans its revenues are down by $65 million and puts its hand out for more.
Ottawa needs to just say "no", firmly and clearly.
It is time for a thorough, independent, realistic review of literally everything the CBC does, how it does it, and whether it should be doing it. On its own website on Feb. 11 the CBC responded to a newspaper story by stating: "Airing ads on CBC Radio is not currently being considered." A paragraph later, it admitted that "It is no secret that television ad revenues are declining." They are not even thinking of trying to obtain a single penny to support the radio service, but they want more. The CBC's last annual report cited expenditures of $1,013 per year per employee for "training." CBC has 10,200 employees. That's $10 million, but aren't most of their staff already well-trained, professionals? They say there is no fat to cut. If you had $1,000 per day for every day the world has seen since Jesus was born (365 times 2008), you'd only have $732.9 million and would have to add $267 million more to get the CBC's annual budget.
The CBC, defender of all things Canadian, should tell Canadians how much it paid for the right to broadcast U.S. game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. And do we need its 29 different services few use rather than just basic radio and TV service?
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With such a blatant and ongoing bias to their writing, they have absolutely no credibility on this topic.
You'll notice that on this story, they're not even willing to name the writer.
I am happy that some of my tax dollars goes to support the CBC. There are many things my tax payer money supports that I don't benefit from the same way. I don't begrudge those tax dollars that go to support other things.
We would miss CBC, as would the T&T. Who would they have to kick around with there blatantly T&T. They are jealous because the CBC does a better job than them covering local stories.
I meant "blatantly biased T&T"
I wonder if we should send them to a remedial school for some help with elementary math?
If taxpayer dollars are funding it, then they should perhaps provide shows we like. Anytime I DO like a show, they cut it, yet then leave the most boring tripe in it's place.
Belts are tightening. Perhaps there's should as well.
Isn't it ironic...that CBC Moncton is located adjacent to "Castle Manor". I think tax dollars would be better spent saving that institution....and give the building to the Dumont Hospital. They will save and improve the quality of life in the community....much more than the CBC could ever hope to !!