XV1 Conference of Ministers Responsible for TV5: A Good Beginning for a Renewed TV5
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, November 29, 2001 -- The Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps, as Chair of the XVI Conference of Ministers Responsible for TV5, today closed the Conference being held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. It was the first time since the creation of TV5 Monde, on August 1, 2001, that the ministers from the five governments which financially support TV5 -- France, Canada, Switzerland, the government of Quebec and the Belgian French Community -- have met.The ministers reported positive results regarding the restructuring process, which began, at their request, during the Vevey Ministerial Conference in October 2000. "We are very satisfied with the results achieved over these last few months," said Minister Copps. "We had set a very tight deadline for ourselves and we carried it off brilliantly. Today, TV5 is resolutely turned to the future and is well-equipped to face the challenges of promoting cultural diversity." The creation of TV5 Monde and the continued broadcasting of TV5 in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada under the responsibility of the Consortium de télévision Québec Canada (CTQC) will allow the multilateral network to face the new challenges of the international audiovisual landscape. The ministers also took the opportunity to congratulate the Montreal and Paris teams for their excellent work over the last few years.
The partner ministers, who were joined by representatives from Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Senegal, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, the Agence intergouvernementale de la Francophonie and the Conseil international des radio-télévisions d'expression française (CIRTEF), made sure to point out that TV5 is a true laboratory of cultural diversity, making it possible to promote a dialogue focused on development and peace, which is particularly important in the current international climate.
During this conference, the ministers acknowledged with satisfaction the decision made by the Francophone Ministers of Culture in Cotonou in June 2001 and reaffirmed their commitment to the network's multilateral character. They also reiterated the importance they put on TV5's fundamental mission, which is to reflect a plural Francophonie; to promote cultural diversity and the spread of French-language programming; and to encourage exchanges and dialogue through television.
In addition to adopting TV5 Monde's budget for 2002, Conference participants discussed the multilateral network's prospects for the future. They also acknowledged the willingness of TV5 Monde's new president, Mr. Serge Adda, to favour three strategic orientations between now and 2004: the expansion of TV5's audience on five continents; programming that is diversified and representative of the Francophonie in all its shades and colours; and the development of international reference information.
The third largest television network after CNN and MTV, TV5 today reaches nearly 132 million households on five continents. The next TV5 ministerial conference will be chaired by France, in 2002.
Information:
Joseph Kira
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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