Cutting-edge Canadian community-oriented TV station in Toronto goes Pirate

Edited by John Stokes

Star Ray TV has begun broadcasting on UHF channel 15 to protest CRTC corruption. For over 10 years, owner Jan Pachul has asked for a license from the CRTC to deliver local programming to central Toronto. The CRTC has denied not only a license, but a hearing. It appears that the CRTC does not want to hear about low power, community-based television.

Community-based television like Star-TV, would indeed alleviate corporate information control in Canada, that the CRTC appears to be determined to enforce. The expression of democracy in Canada's mass-media in general, has indeed be substantively undermined since the 1980's, with a worsened concentration in media ownership.

"Past CRTC actions in regards to Star Ray could best be described as shameless bald-faced fraud. These actions include returning our application as "incomplete" over a year after we answered all '"deficiency" questions, manufacturing a complaint using a fictitious person, taking almost one year to answer correspondence, inventing a regulation to stop the processing of our application, violating our privacy rights, in sum denying Star Ray TV any due process to become a legitimate station," says Jan Pachul

"The CRTC Diversity Hearing process is a charade that they have put on to mask the truth that the big private broadcasters effectively control them", says StarTV management.

Star TV management notes that a 1971 Supreme Court of Canada ruling affirms a statutory right to a hearing if an application is filed with the CRTC. Letters to Mr. Harper and his government outlining the CRTC's misdeeds received no meaningful response. Mr. Harper had campaigned on a platform of eliminating government corruption.

Current distinctive offerings on Star Ray include event coverage, a weekly forum discussing Toronto issues, local sports, and programming provided by Canadian producers.

Star Ray TV also has ventured out on the Internet supplying over 50 channels of international programming including Star Ray TV and SR Music, a radio station offering for the Toronto artist communities. SR Music is uniquely programmed by the listeners through a web interface. These free channels can be accessed through the tobroadcast.com website.

The broadcast plant has been upgraded to high quality digital operation featuring automated program scheduling. The on air look is surprisingly topnotch considering Star Ray's meagre finances and the fact that it is run entirely by volunteers.

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