Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.

More than 4,000 people have written or sent e-mail messages to the CRTC opposing plans by Corus Entertainment to buy Radiomd0069a and its member stations in Quebec. Most of the unionized workers at the radio network are CUPE members including the majority of journalists.

Coruss plans to take over Radiomd0069as six stations which broadcast in Montreal, Estrie, Mauricie, Outaouais, Quebec City and Saguenay-Lac Saint-Jean regions have drawn public ire and outpourings of support for the popular stations. Many believe Corus will severely downsize the stations, particularly its news output, which could lead some to close.

Coruss media/entertainment companies were built from assets originally owned by Shaw Communications. It boasts that nearly one-third of all Canadians listen to a Corus radio station each week.

CKAC Montreal, one of the six Radiomd0069a stations, is a hub for major french news in the province and has a long history. It is the oldest private French language radio station in the world and employs more than 20 journalists, whose jobs could soon disappear. Corus says it wants to change the format of CKAC to carry sports news only, while the five other stations would reduce regional programming to 20 hours a week.

It is the beginning of the end of our freedom, said one listener in an e-mail on the Save Radiomd0069a web page, which can be reached through SCFP Quebecs web site. Our right to make our opinions public, to have viewpoints from others. This kind of information radio must live on.