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Public Notice CRTC 2000-109
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Ottawa, 24 July 2000
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Television violence
timetable for introduction of Canadian rating system codes using V-chip technology |
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Background
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1.
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The Commissions approach to television
violence has, as its objective, the protection of children from the harmful effects of
television violence, while preserving freedom of expression for creators and choice for
adult viewers. |
2.
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In Public Notice CRTC 1996-36 entitled Policy on Violence in Television
Programming, the Commission reaffirmed the importance of giving individuals the tools
to make informed programming choices for themselves and for their families. Accordingly,
the Commission set out its expectation for the implementation by the broadcasting industry
of a meaningful, parent-friendly rating system for television programs and the provision
of parental control (V-chip) technology to viewers. |
3.
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In Public Notice CRTC 1997-80 entitled Classification system for violence in
television programming, the Commission announced its support for the classification
system developed by the Action Group on Violence on Television (AGVOT). It stated its
expectation that the encoding of program ratings and the deployment of V-chip devices
occur when feasible. The Commission requested that AGVOT inform it, on a regular basis, of
the industrys progress in this regard. It accepted a commitment by AGVOT that
Canadian broadcasters would provide, as an interim measure, on-screen program
classification by the fall of 1997. |
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Current status
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4.
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AGVOT subsequently reported that the industry
has been working with television manufacturers in the United States to ensure that V-chips
included in sets sold in Canada are compatible with Canadian rating systems. In its most
recent report, submitted on 30 April 2000, AGVOT indicated that two of 11 manufacturers
surveyed have taken the initiative of including the capability of interpreting Canadian
rating codes in their V-chip equipped television sets. Five other manufacturers have now
committed to so in the near future. According to AGVOT, approximately 200,000 television
sets equipped with V-chips having this capability have now been sold in Canada. |
5.
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AGVOT also reported that it has created an
Encoding Implementation Committee to coordinate the encoding of programming by all
Canadian television services. AGVOT proposes that the introduction of encoded programming
begin on 8 January 2001, with a two-month phase-in period for testing and public
education. This means that, by 28 February 2001, all Canadian television programming
services will be encoding programs in the relevant program categories designated in PN 1996-36. |
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Commissions response
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6.
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The Commission commends AGVOT and the
broadcasting industry for their continuing efforts to implement an effective Canadian
rating system employing V-chip technology. The Commission also commends those
manufacturers of television sets who have taken the initiative of incorporating into their
V-chip equipped sets the capability of reading the Canadian codes. The Commission strongly
encourages other manufacturers who have yet to take steps to incorporate the capability of
reading these Canadian codes into their V-chip equipped sets to proceed with this
initiative without delay. The cooperation of all manufacturers is essential to the
widespread implementation of V-chip technology in Canada.
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7.
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Consistent with AGVOTs proposal, the
Commission expects the licensees of television programming undertakings, by
28 February 2001, to complete the phase-in of encoded ratings with respect to all
programs in the categories designated in PN 1996-36. The
Commission also expects these licensees to continue to provide on-screen program
classification until it is satisfied that V-chip technology is widely available to
Canadian viewers. |
8.
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The Commission looks forward to continued
updates from AGVOT on the industrys progress in meeting the commitments and
expectations noted above.
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Secretary General
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This document is available in alternate
format upon request and may also be examined at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca.
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