Accountability and the CRTC: An evaluation of the Canadian commercial radio licence renewal process (1997--2007)

In most areas of public policy, where regulation is expected to exhibit transparency and accountability, evaluation is recognized as necessary. Broadcasting is no different. Nevertheless, recently published reports repeatedly argue that a new evaluative approach for broadcasting processes and policies is required not only because current Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) policies and programs are inadequate, but also because past assessments are outdated and new methodologies should be adopted. Evidence is provided by numerous scholarly articles and public forum testimonies in recent years. In this context, the objective of this dissertation is to determine how and to what extent the CRTC holds radio station owners accountable to the objectives of the Broadcasting Act, 1991 through the application of the Radio regulations, 1986, the Commercial Radio Policy, 1998 and the Commercial Radio Policy, 2006, as well as broadcasters' conditions of licence.;Using a normative evaluation approach, the methodology for this research involved documentary analysis of 141 radio station licence renewal decisions from the perspective of the law, policies, regulations and CRTC annual reports, to determine the extent to which the objectives of the Broadcasting Act, 1991 are met. Measurements and criteria for this study were based on an extensive literature review and an understanding of the process itself. This analysis was complemented by information obtained through interviews with relevant stakeholders. Findings yield compelling distinctions between the formal licence renewal process and what actually takes place. Although the CRTC seems to have criteria to evaluate stations and has been moving toward streamlining in recent years, it is apparent that case by case approaches are still employed. Information concerning the types of 'mistakes' the CRTC considers when evaluating a file and their consequences are also relevant results of the study. Analysis of the data also serves to determine the extent to which the process lacks monitoring to uphold legal objectives and current policies, and provides information on the undocumented "closed door" politics behind the process.