Radio 3 Campaign Update

Whoever the CBC Spokesperson was that said the CBC was considering axing Radio 3 really did the Corp no favors. I mean if it's true then thanks for the heads up but since that statement things have changed. The campaign to get more money out of parliament has lost momentum. It's still growing but not nearly as fast as it was, and it's being taken on with the same kind of enthusiasm as the campaign to save Radio 3 from the CBC's axe. I understand that if the CBC didn't have to make cuts that Radio 3 wouldn't be in trouble and I've tried to convince people of that but it doesn't seem to matter. People are riled up at the thought of losing Radio 3.

In the first 5 days the petition is at the edge of 700 signatures (that's up almost 500 in the last 36 hours.) The campaign has been picked up by post-rock love affair, mog, As Canadian As Possibl..., Tom Lucier, MW Music Review Blog and has been sent out to the Wet Secrets Facebook fans.

I'm also getting inundated with emails and messages about Radio 3 and its future. One person said he would "...describe the notion of killing r3 to help save cbc as the dinosaurs arguing that by killing off the mammals, they'd be able to save the biosphere." Another said that it was like "cutting loose the lifeboats to lighten the ship so it won't sink as fast." (You can read dozens of comments on the event page or the petition.) I'm beginning to think though that the CBC needs Radio 3 more than Radio 3 needs the CBC. With the momentum and fan loyalty they have the folks that do Radio 3 could, if they wanted, recreate something very like Radio 3 and keep most of their audience (they could probably even grow it considerably with the 'gloves off').

I'll still argue though that Radio 3 needs Amanda Putz back (for a variety of reasons that I think I've already covered.)

Please Help CHEV Radio; Sign Our Petition

Please help CHEV Radio by signing our petition to the CRTC

The Town of Markham, Ontario, is one of the most diverse communities in Canada. With many unique cultural backgrounds, the town deserves an outlet that brings all these cultures together. The best way to do that is through community radio. Since 2004, CHEV Radio has been the voice of Markham; broadcasting sports, entertainment and community programming. CHEV’s website (www.chevradioam.com) also has local news stories, community events, podcasts, weather forecasts and traffic updates.

Currently an internet-radio station, CHEV Radio has sent an application to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for an AM frequency. Unfortunately, the CRTC has been hesitant in giving CHEV a frequency. The reasons for this are unknown. However, CHEV’s tireless staff have been working hard for the past two years adhering to the CRTC’s requirements.

The residents of Markham deserve a community radio station. The Town of Markham needs CHEV Radio. By signing this petition, we are showing the CRTC that there is a need for a community radio station in Markham. CHEV Radio will bring Markham’s diverse residents together and celebrate their diversity. Therefore, it is time for the CRTC to grant an AM frequency to CHEV Radio.

To sign the petition, please click here.

Thank you for your support. Please feel free to forward this message to your friends, co-workers, and family.

Facebook Tally

Here is some information you can share at the dinner table, at a party, or when you are trying to impress the opposite/same sex.

Let's begin:

- There are 236 Facebook groups related to Stephen Harper. Some groups support the Prime Minister. Others are against him. My favourite group is, "Give Harper Time To Write His Book About Hockey."

- There are 13 groups related to Erik Bedard. Three of the 13 groups want Bedard to win the Cy Young award. He has a shot, but Josh Beckett and Roy Halladay are definitely in front of him.

- There are only two groups dedicated to Buck 65. That does not seem fair.

- There is a group related to the Arcade Fire with almost 2400 members.

- There is a group dedicated to Global's Leslie Roberts. It's called "Leslie Roberts is a DILF Fan Club." No, I am not kidding. Here's the group's description: "Leslie Roberts is a pimp, in the sexy sort of way.... I mean, just look at what his seed created!!! From his dashing good looks (emphasized by his sea-blue eyes), incredible sense of style (supplied by Global CanWest Media) to his poise and articulation on the news to even his 'silly laugh' and soulful voice singing "sexyback" by Justin Timberlake."

- There are no groups specifically for Olivia Chow. However, her husband is the subject of 64 groups.

- There is a group called "Friends of Relic From The Beachcombers." It has 85 members.

- The "Jenny Gear Fan Club" only has six members. Ouch.

- There are four groups dedicated to Danger Bay. One group wants the series remade.

- Finally, PublicBroadcasting.ca has a Facebook group. You should go join that.

Breaking into the Ad World

Ok, so every good campaign needs a commercial, so breaking my lifelong boycott of audio and video editing (more just something I'd never done, but boycott sounds more dramatic and I dunno...commercial) I made one for the R3TV Campaign - enjoy!

Up Next: A Break For Artists and Content Creators

Things have been busy here, the R3TV Campaign is going strong, I'm still tweaking the site since the overhaul, and I've been doing some things that actually pay money as well. But, following a conversation I had last week, I think I know what's next.

Artists and content creators who decide to remain in Canada have a rough go of it. Canada is, in itself, a highly competitive market. Add to that the Geography problem. For an artist from Halifax to become well known in Vancouver takes alot of expensive travel, and/or a move. Then there is a neighboring country (won't name names) constantly flooding the market with cheap content.

Canada does, and should continue to, subsidize Canadian content but I think it's time we subsidized the artists themselves. In Ireland certain artists are exempt from taxes. I'm not suggesting an identical model. For one thing Ireland has created a bureaucracy to decide what constitutes art - dangerous political territory that. I also do not think that the Avril Lavigne's and Shania Twains of the world should live entirely tax free. Rather, what I propose is a system where income (after related expenses) derived from art and content creation would be exempt from income taxes up to 50 thousand dollars.

This would include visual art, performing arts, film, music, literature (and print publications in general) and even television, radio, and independent "amateur" media such as zines and podcasting.

There is already a personal tax exemption in this country all I'm really suggesting is that we increase that exemption for artists in recognition of the difficulty in making a living in the arts and in Canadian content in general. This would, in my opinion, make it easier for artists and performers to make ends meet, would allow more artists to stop working a second or third job and focus on their creative talents and encourage more talented, creative people to remain in Canada.

I hope to get this new campaign up and going soon to make sure there is plenty of time to get fully ramped up before the next federal election. If you have any comments, feedback or suggestions, please let me know.