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APPENDICES
Appendix 12
Terms of Reference: Ownership Panels
Within the context of its study of the Canadian broadcasting system, the Standing Committee would like panellists to focus on the following questions:
Cross-Media Ownership
| 1. | Cross-media ownership in Canada |
What do recent trends in Canadian media ownership suggest?
Is it possible to foresee particular changes in the near future?
| 2. | Editorial independence and cross-media ownership |
Does cross-media ownership affect the expression of diverse opinions?
Have changes in Canadian media ownership affected editorial independence?
| 3. | The economic consequences of cross-media ownership |
Can you provide examples of the economic consequences of cross-media ownership (e.g., over-promotion of products; squeezing out of competitor's products)?
| 4. | Lessons from outside Canada |
Do you foresee a move to de-convergence?
What lessons are there for Canadian media firms?
What should the federal government be doing?
What can the federal government do?
Foreign Ownership
| 1. | What is your view of the existing foreign ownership rules for Canadian media companies? |
| 2. | What is your view of the effectiveness of foreign ownership rules in other countries (e.g., the United States, the United Kingdom, France)? What has been the impact of European Union rules on the domestic situation in its member countries? |
| 3. | Given the current media ownership situation in Canada, what would justify a relaxation of existing foreign ownership restrictions? What would justify leaving the legislation as it stands? |
| 4. | Some witnesses have suggested that it is important to distinguish between carriers and content providers when dealing with limits on foreign ownership. Could you please explain why this distinction is (or is not) important? |
| 5. | What would be the consequences for diversity of voices in Canada if foreign ownership rules were relaxed? |
| 6. | What would be the consequences for the promotion of Canadian content? |
| 7. | What would be the influence on the cost of capital for Canadian firms? (i.e., What is the cost of capital now? What would be the changes to the cost of capital if ownership restrictions were relaxed?) |
| 8. | Would jobs be at risk if foreign ownership rules were relaxed? |
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