The CBSC is a broadcasting self and co-regulating body overseeing radio and television. It was created by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) in 1989 and is more of a co-regulatory body, since the national regulator CRTC can still overrule decisions, and the public can appeal CSBC decisions to the CRTC. Membership in the CBSC is often a required condition for new broadcasters to be licensed by the CRTC. The areas of authority for CBSC involve the administration of five codes: CAB Code of Ethics; CAB Violence Code; CAB Equitable Portrayal Code; RTDNA Code of Ethics; and the Journalistic Independence Code (CBSC, 2020). The last two are of greatest relevance for this study. The Radio Television Digital News Association’s (RTDNA) code notes, “It is our responsibility to act independently, to be fair and respectful, and to report the facts” (CBSC, 2016: preamble). The Journalistic Independence Code has three set criteria that Canadian broadcasters are expected to support:
– the effective use of news-gathering resources in a manner which ensures that Canadians have access to diversity and quality of information assembled and reported by broadcast journalists;
– the existence of diverse and distinct editorial and news reporting voices in their broadcast and print media; and
– the independence and separation of the management of news departments in their broadcast and newspaper divisions with common ownership.
(Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council, 2020)
The launch of the CBSC in 1989 included the creation of a governing body composed of industry representatives as well as experts and local representatives from across Canada. A 2007 report commissioned by the CRTC found that the CBSC had been largely successful in its mandate (Dunbar & Leblanc, 2007). CBC/Radio-Canada is not a member of the CBSC but does have a public ombudsperson. Similarly, traditional print media are not part of the Council.
