So I expect everyone heard about the CRTC’s decision yesterday to allow Al Jazeera’s content to be digitally distributed in Canada. That means that you can, eventually, watch Al Jazeera (also know as the CNN of the Arab world) in Canada legally (you can get it right now with illegal set-top boxes).
I don’t know about you, but I like the general decision. I think it’s good to allow the network to be distributed in Canada, as I am sure there are tons of people who want to watch it. What I do not like however, are the caveats that go along with broadcasting Al Jazeera. Basically, Canadian broadcasters have to keep an audio-visual recording of all Al Jazeera programming, and must also prohibit abusive comment from appearing on Canadian televisions – even if that means the broadcasters have to edit Al Jazeera programming.
Smells a lot like the American censorship we have come to know under Bush. What’s the point of having Al Jazeera in Canada if they are going to have to censor the beheadings? Okay I know that sounds crude, but you get my drift. If I know that broadcasters are editing Al Jazeera, how do I know they aren’t editing anything else? Where does it end? And even if it only is for Al Jazeera, isn’t that discriminatory? Doesn’t that infringe on free speech?
When it comes right down to it, the decision won’t change anything. People who get the top package on their satellite or digital cable will now magically have a censored Al Jazeera. And those people who really want to watch the channel will still get it illegally.
I wish the CRTC would spend their time doing something useful – like making it legal and easy for me to start my own radio station.
MasterMaq's Blog 
Broadcasters should be able to show whatever they like. There should be no rules regarding what can or cannot be shown.
I think that maybe there should be restrictions on WHEN certain things can be shown. I know parents should be responsible for their own kids, but when kids are on their own and have unlimited access to everything, that causes problems. However, I think that banning things, or restricting access by having "specialty" channels defeats the purpose of mass media
The CRTC is doing his job just fine. Having gore or hardcore porn movies in the afternoon wouldn’t be ok. Broadcasting is a previlege, not a right. That said, I hope Al Jazeera will be broadcast here, I’m so excited lol!