North Star Media

204 Main Street Toronto, Ontario M4E 3V4

Email: srtv at srtv.ca

January 9, 1998

Dear Neighbourhood TV Supporter,

Than you for your support of our community TV application for an exemption from the Broadcast Act.

Unfortunately the CTRC has refused to proceed with the application. The actual decision is attached to this fax, as is North Star Media's press release. The reason given by the Commission for the denial of the community channel proposal was that "under certain circumstances, it may have an impact on the ability of existing licensees to fulfil their regulatory requirements." No other reasons were given.

The CRTC did soften their previous stance on low power television in an urban area. In a 1994 letter to North Star Media, Peter Foster of the CTRC stated that "while Commission policy does allow for regulatory flexibility for Low Power Television broadcasting (LPTV) in remote and under-served areas, LPTV stations in all other communities are subject to the general television regulations." In the recent decision the CRTC states that "the Commission will be pleased to consider a licence application for a community service that is clearly Canadian in content and contributes to the objectives of the Broadcasting Act."

We intend to appeal the exemption decision to the governor in council who I believe is Sheila Copps. There are many grounds for appeal including the lack of due process, jurisdictional issues, and the excessive costs involved in the license application. Our community television project was recently profiled by CBC News, and we will continue promotion efforts in other local and provincial media.

The Commission has not only kept North Star Media off the air. We had proposed to exempt a whole class of community low power tv stations from the Broadcast Act. The exemption was supposed to be a three year trial, so that the CTRC could licence the undertakings later on. According to new cable regulations, cable companies are no longer required to run community channels. Apparently the CRTC does not want to give up even a little bit of control. Their message is clear: Nobody that isn't part of the old boys club need apply.

The studio is nearing completion. We will be taking over a nice store front at 186 Main Street. This store is adjacent to the studio. Our negotiations with Industry Canada for a developmental license are continuing. We now have a web site at http://www.web.net/~staray

We must proceed with the CTRC license application. One big plus of this license will be mandatory cable coverage on basic cable. We need a lot more people wanting to independently produce programming.

We will be calling you shortly to ask for your participation in the licence application. If you personally are able to commit some time to this effort, or know of any artists, young people, or others who may be interested in apprenticing with North Star Media, please call me.

Together, we will continue the fight to establish a community station in the Beaches.

Sincerely,

Jan Pachul

North Star Media