 
Federal Court Upholds CRTC Ban on Quebec Radio Station The Federal Court of Appeal has upheld the CRTC's decision to close Québec radio station CHOI-FM. The earlier CRTC decision was a response to the comments of a talk show host that ridiculed certain members of the Québec community. The comments had even included a description of a woman's breast size. The closure came after numerous complaints from listeners and warnings to the station. The Court wrote that allowing the radio station to stay on the air would transform the CRTC and the government into "promoters of defamatory language." Intervening in the court hearing, CCLA Special Counsel Frédéric Bachand argued that cancellation of broadcast licenses on such grounds could cast a chill over all broadcasters far out of proportion to the objective of upholding broadcasting standards. While it held no brief for the "unjustified personal attacks, insults, …and crude comments", CCLA nevertheless challenged such an "oppressive" use of the CRTC's licensing power. The radio station has appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada; CCLA hopes to intervene. | CCLA In The Schools | Join Us | Feedback | Search | Other Interesting Sites | Home |
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