Telecommunications Act Essay Example

Telecommunications Act Essay Example Telecommunications Act Essay Telecommunications Act Essay Communication laws and policies are important to ensure that the media serve not only their owners’ and content creators’ interests but also the society’s interests (p. 148). As members of the public sphere, both media and its consumers have the responsibility to comply with laws and policies. The Telecommunications Act addressed the issue of providing reliable and affordable services nationally and internationally, protecting users’ privacy and maintaining Canada’s identity and sovereignty (pp. 151-152). The main issue in the industry has been the transition from monopoly to competing services (p. 153). Instead of relying on one service provider that dictates every aspect of the service, competition is healthy and favorable. However, the Act should be amended to allow free market forces to achieve the policy objectives of an active Canadian communication line (p. 154), without giving up Canadian creativity and identity. Identity- and nation-building are also the objectives of broadcasting policies, specifically the Broadcasting Act. Broadcasting should be viewed as a public service and not an industry that merely entertains. With this in mind, it should provide educational arm’s length broadcasts (p. 155). Also, it is broadcasting’s technology to examine international wavelength, allotment, advertising, Canadian content, and ownership (p. 158). The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s duty is to address issues on broadcasting licenses (p. 159), making sure that companies and individuals comply. Broadcasting content and access should also be prioritized as it tries to reach all Canadians in the country (p. 160), ensuring that Canadian creativity is presented in the programming (p. 161) and addressing Canada’s cultural diversity on TV screens (p. 162). Policies under the cultural industry film, music, print publishing, and the new media – also needs attention. For instance, funding in film has always been the problem in Canadian cinema. Filmmakers find it difficult to tap sources of funds to get their films done (p. 173). But even though funding may be solved, if audiences’ taste still craves for the larger-than-life Hollywood films, it will be useless. Therefore, it is best to give audience what they want. Furthermore, in the music industry, it is also the audience, together with technology, who are the ones who poses threat to radio and recording. Music downloading has stressed the fact that the recording industry has not been sufficient in giving what listeners want (p. 178). Even if Canada can boast of world famous singers, it cannot boast of a society free of copyright infringement. Not only have Canadians invaded the world’s music scene, but also the book publishing industry, as more and more Canadian authors become famous locally and internationally (p. 181). This has been due to the structural, cultural, and industrial support from the government (pp. 180-181). To continue good readership, assistance should be further strengthened, most especially financially. The government has also supported Canada’s drive to exempt culture in international trade negotiations (p. 189) by preserving Canadian identity. Genuine Canadian magazines’ goal of reaching Canadians through access to Canadian information (p. 185) is a wise decision to preserve culture and community, thus needs to be further intensified. As part of this community, Canadians should be the ones to demand for the proper, credible, and truthful information they need. They should not tolerate monopolistic companies with newspaper ownership on their prejudices, inaccuracies, misinformation, and disinformation. They should voice out their right to acquire quality news and information that is expected of newspapers and the whole of the media industry (p. 193). With the new media around and thriving, the communication and culture industries need much of audience participation, intelligent choice, and involvement, so that laws and policies will be highly effective. These are not supposed to be rules to be broken, but guidelines to help develop better, well-informed, and responsible Canadians.