I really missed CBC
January 7th, 2010
Some readers, like me, may once have listened to CBC Radio. Specifically, I listened extensively to Radio Two when they still had predominantly Classical programming prior to September 2008. BTW, latest stats show that, while radio listenership has gone up by about 3% since 2007, CBC Radio Two listenership is down over 13%. Big success there.
Anyway, as MrsDrJ and I are in the process of building our own Remote Rural Compound (RRC) in the Best Place on Earth , dubbed by some bitter eastern wags the People’s Republic of British Columbia or the “Left Coast”, we sometimes seek news of the outside world. Unfortunately, as a counterpoint to this most beautiful of places, the media penetration through the mountain barriers is a little thin. The simple taxpayer must often turn the dial to FM relays of CBC Radio One for the elusive weather report.
For those of you who don’t seek your news there, here’s a little update. The average mid-day news broadcast last week consisted of (in no particular order):
1/ A story on the environment, climate change, or both;
2/ one on the (%*%^!) provincial government cutting funding to a social agency somewhere in the province;
3/ an expose of something the (&%^&^$!) Prime Minister, typically referred to as “Harper”, was doing;
4/ an interview with a local union leader;
5/ a report on the B.C. NDP leader, Carol James, on how she intends to spend 2010.
The last was very helpful to me because, news shunner that I am, I might not have known who Ms James was had they not told me in some detail, and made a gripping human interest story out of it. Thanks to Radio One I got to hear about her plans for the new year, and how she’ll be “better than ever”. Way to go Carol!
Given the broad, balanced and fair spectrum of stories covered by Radio One, it’s heartening to see the national network also pursuing that same goal. To that end, the commissioning of a poll on a story they themselves have industriously pushing - the hundreth-odd proroguing of parliament in Canadian history - is to be commended. Lord knows they must have been right on top of Mr. Chretien’s prorogation in 2003. Their pollster, Frank Graves, bravely echoed Peter Mansbridge by stating that ” the obvious narrative” is that the Afghan detainee issue motivated the Prime Minister (”Harper”). That must be right because the opposition parties are saying exactly the same thing. So many of these guys can’t be wrong.
Having the opportunity to listen to CBC on holidays is a rare treat, and I’m almost tempted to tune in to CBC Radio Two’s new format again. Almost. If only they could find more Canadian singer-songwriters, maybe then. On the other hand, I recall there used to be a line near the end of federal tax returns, where you could write in a gift to the federal government. Maybe I could designate MORE of my money to CBC there? Tax season is coming up. If you agree with me, check it out.
