As in 2008, the decision has been made to exclude Green Party leader Elizabeth May has from participating in the televised (and widely watched) English and French leaders’ debates, to be held on April 12^th and 14^th. The decision was made by a consortium of television broadcasters based on regulations established by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (“CRTC”). One of the key features of the CRTC rules is that broadcasters do not have to include the leaders of all political parties in election-related debates.

In 2008, after an enormous public outcry and the threat of legal action, the broadcasters backed down and allowed May to participate in the debates, thus setting the precedent for the inclusion of the Green Party Leader and for a leader of a party with no seats in the House of Commons. This time, though, the threat of legal action wasn’t enough and after it seemed Ms. May would not be allowed to participate, the Green Party filed an application for judicial review in the Federal Court of Appeal on March 31, 2011.

In Canada, just as in Ireland, broadcasters’ duties of fairness are often tested by smaller parties’ claims to participation in election events, such as leaders’ debates.

BAI STRATEGY 2011-2013 PUBLISHED

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) has … published its first Strategy Statement which sets out the organisation’s mission and values as well as its vision for the broadcasting sector for the period 2011-2013.

The Statement captures the focus of the work of the BAI in seven over-arching strategic themes. Eight strategic (high level) goals have been developed, covering the three year period of this strategy. Each goal contains specific objectives enabling the BAI to execute its mission and to contribute to the achievement of its vision.  On a yearly basis, the BAI will identify specific deliverables under each strategic goal, which will shape its annual work-plan. …

The Authority has also published a Statement of Outcomes document which provides a general overview of the changes made to the draft Strategy Statement on foot of submissions received during the public consultation phase. The BAI’s workplan associated with the Strategy Statement is also scheduled for publication in the coming days. …

To download a copy of the Strategy Statement in English please click HERE
To download a copy of the Strategy Statement in Irish please click HERE
To download of copy of the Statement of Outcomes document please click HERE