TORONTO, Ont. April 7, 2006 – The Catholic Civil Rights League (www.ccrl.ca) today expressed concern about the CRTC decision to grant an FM radio license to Rainbow Media Group for a station devoted to gay and lesbian interests.
The CRTC (Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission) has refused to grant licenses to religious groups, largely based on a 1993 policy prohibiting single-faith broadcasters, and the general principle that public air space is finite and should not be allocated to special interest groups.
“If the issue is the fair allotment of limited airspace, then the CRTC has failed to open the process equally to all groups,” said League President Phil Horgan. “If space can be made available to one group or another to serve unique interests, then all such groups should be considered equally. There is nothing in the CRTC decision to allocate this license that could not be said of the religious groups that have applied for licenses and been refused in the past.”
Rainbow Media Group is the first new English-language radio station approved for Toronto by the CRTC since 2001. In 2003 the CRTC rejected the application for an all-Catholic radio station in Toronto. Almost half of the Greater Toronto Areas population of 4.5 million self-identifies as Catholic.
About CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (www.ccrl.ca) assists in creating conditions within which Catholic teachings can be better understood, cooperates with other organizations in defending civil rights in Canada, and opposes defamation and discrimination against Catholics on the basis of their beliefs. CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization. The Catholic Civil Rights League is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members. For further information: Joanne McGarry, Executive Director, 416-466-8244; joanne.mcgarry@ccrl.ca.