Konrad von Finckenstein has called for an extensive review of CRTC rules and policies for broadcasting, suggesting big changes are in the works for the federal regulator, which is in need of some ‘rebalancing.’

‘There is no doubt that a new wind is blowing,’ von Finckenstein told the annual conference of the B.C. Association of Broadcasters late last week in Penticton.

‘We have a government that is very keen on less regulation, and that has directed us to accept market forces as the default and regulation as the exception.’

As such, the new CRTC chairman has called upon veteran communications lawyers Laurence Dunbar and Christian Leduc to conduct a review of the agency’s broadcast policies, beginning immediately.

‘The scope will include television, radio, BDUs, new media and specialties, but will not include the mandate of the CBC,’ Dunbar tells Playback Daily, adding that the report has to be delivered at the end of August, prior to fall hearings on specialty services and BDUs.

The study’s recommendations will be considered, according to Dunbar, but not necessarily enforced. ‘It will be a consultant’s report that will raise issues to be discussed in those proceedings,’ he says.

The study will revisit CRTC policies to determine their original purpose, overall effectiveness and relevancy. ‘Circumstances have changed a lot since these regulations were put in place,’ notes Dunbar, adding they will also be looking at the impact of new media and the degree of competition in the market.

‘It’s not just ‘should we have regulation or not,’ but how can we make the process work better so that it’s less of a burden for the regulator and the regulated companies,’ Dunbar says.

In his speech, von Finckenstein insisted that the ‘lighter approach to regulation’ should not undermine the objectives of the Broadcasting Act, noting ‘We must give fuller play to the energy and creativity of market forces, as long as they work towards the objectives of the Act.’