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From: Ron Thompson, ronthompson@iname.com To: procedure@crtc.gc.ca Cc: srtv@srtv.on.ca Subject: Application (199812524) Date: Wednesday, November 03, 1999 8:23 PM 1. This letter is in support of application 199812524 by Jan Pachul for a low power station on UHF. 2. I have read most of the information published by Star Ray TV on their website, describing the proposed broadcast operation and the history of its development. I am impressed with both the concept and the energy of its developers and supporters. 3. The concept of an all-Canadian-content channel is one the CRTC should be supporting, and supporting with a lot less kowtowing to the corporate interests expressed by the cable operators, network broadcasters and their specialty channel cohorts. 4. I am frankly dismayed, though not surprised, that the CRTC did not grant Mr. Pachul and Star Ray its earlier request for an exemption. While Star Ray may "have an impact on the ability of current licensees to fulfill their regulatory requirements," there has to be some judgement concerning the severity of that impact. Certainly, it stretches credulity to believe that this operation in and of itself threatens that ability. What it does do, instead, is expose the corporate greed behind the way most current licensees interpret and deliver upon their obligations. It exposes the absence of clothes upon the emperor. 5. While I will likely never get to see Star Ray (except on an occasional visit to Toronto) I am convinced that, if allowed to plant its seed, it will show the way for other similar operations across the country -- operations which can demonstrate to Canadians and to the CRTC what Canadian content can be. 6. I am also interested in the whole concept of putting tools in the hands of activist organizations and individuals to help them tell their own story -- whether on UHF, cable or the internet -- and anything the CRTC can do to smooth the path for such concepts to flourish will be a move to democratize the media. 7. It used to be said that "Freedom of the press belongs to those who own one." Star Ray may be just one of many attempts to put the press/media of today's world into the hands of those who need it most. It has my support. I trust it will have yours. Ron Thompson Secretary-Treasurer 4045 Montague Street Regina, Sask. S4S 3K1 306-757-4716 ronthompson@iname.com cc: Jan Pachul *** End of Document ***
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