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LETTER: A public broadcaster is a necessity for a thriving democracy

Canada needs to strengthen its public service media, not defund it
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Editor's note: Mr. Hebert writes in response to POLL: Readers more or less evenly split on defunding CBC.

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To the editor:

An independent public broadcaster is a necessity for a thriving democracy, providing Canadians with shared access to high-quality local and national news and programming.

The reality is, that Canada may not be spending enough. Among developed nations, Canada consistently ranks amongst the lowest in per capita spending on public broadcasting.

A 2020 report revealed Canada’s spending on public broadcasting to be just $33 per capita, $55 less than the global average. In the face of an evolving media landscape, the rise of digital platforms, and increased polarization, Canada needs to strengthen its public service media, not defund it.
 

Robert Hebert

North Bay