Journalistic Standards in Canada - please take a moment and check this out

Dear friends across Canada,

In 48 hours, public protections against false news coverage could be destroyed. The CRTC may pass a huge loophole to the “fair and balanced” rule that currently prevents media from outright lying to the public.

Canada's broadcast journalism standards are an impediment to the new "Fox News North" (Sun TV) network being set up by Prime Minister Harper's cronies, which promises to mimic Fox News -- the poisonous US propaganda network. The CRTC rule change, which allows false news to be blasted across Canadian airwaves, comes just as SunTV is about to launch.

We can stop this -- last year, we stopped Harper cronies from pressing the CRTC to fund "Fox News North" with public money. Now, we have just two days to raise another national outcry to save the standards of Canadian journalism, and our democracy. Sign the petition below, and tell everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/canada_fair_and_balanced97.php?cl_tta_sign=17da429adea790fae0021f6ea02daf2c

The proposed changes to regulations protecting Canadian airwaves would require any complaint to include proof that the broadcaster knew that the news was false AND that the lies spread could endanger the lives, health or safety of the public -- so a journalist could tell any lie they liked as long it didn't kill or sicken anyone. Proponents within the CRTC are claiming that this change is in reaction to a Supreme Court decision, but that ruling was made fifteen years ago and has almost nothing to do with TV news standards.

Television news is regulated by the CRTC precisely because news that spreads lies degrades public discourse and destroys the ability of Canadians to cast an informed vote. These kinds of lies may not directly threaten our lives or personal security, but they do threaten our country and our democracy.

Avaaz, along with hundreds of other media advocates, has already submitted a detailed legal argument explaining why the “fair and balanced” rule is necessary to protect Canadian democracy. A national call to keep the news honest will focus CRTC attention on the legitimate objections to their dangerous plan. Sign the petition and forward this email to everyone:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/canada_fair_and_balanced/97.php?cl_tta_sign=17da429adea790fae0021f6ea02daf2c

Just a few months ago, Canadians prevented government subsidies for "Fox News North" and helped expose the unethical conduct of its director Kory Teneycke, Prime Minister Harper's former Communications Director. Now Harper's cronies are back, and hacking at an essential pillar of our democracy, the standards that help prevent media from outright lying to the public. In the next two days we join a long tradition of Canadians who have built and sustained our democracy in the face of all kinds of threats. Let's do that tradition proud.

With hope,

Emma, Ricken, Laryn and the rest of the Avaaz team

Sources:

CRTC plan to lift ban on false news prompts political investigation:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/crtc-plan-to-lift-ban-on-false-news-prompts-political-investigation/article1898147/

CRTC notice of consultation on fair and balanced rule:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-14.htm

CRTC receives thousands of comments on 'false and misleading news' amendment:
http://www.wirereport.ca/reports/content/11955-crtc_receives_thousands_of_comments_on_false_and_misleading_news_amendment

Avaaz submission to the CRTC - Feb. 9, 2011
http://www.scribd.com/doc/48882523/Avaaz-Re-BNC-2011-14

BUSY!

This week has been filled with dance, proofreading, and working out. I've had little time for anything else, and have been hustling my arse off to have everything in order by the time I leave for Toronto tomorrow. I finished the proofreading this morning, and I will be teaching my last class of the week tonight. I had no time for my workout today, so I'll either do it tomorrow morning, or tomorrow afternoon, once I'm in Toronto. Huzzah for a transferable gym membership! That's so handy. I'll be able to do my weight training after my dance classes, if there's anything left of me.

Rasputina is playing at Lee's Palace on Saturday night. I've made a few requests on FaceBook to see if anyone wants to go with me, but no one answered. So I guess I'll be going stag again.

I went in to see the doctor today for a full physical. While he was checking my stomach for whatever it is he was palpating it for, he suddenly paused and said, "I'm not used to there being muscle on my patients." I was amused, but I suppose I should really be sad that more of his patients aren't in shape.

Over all, I think I'm in good health. I've managed to fight off every flu and cold that's been aimed my way this season. That's a first! I hope this trend continues, because when I do get sick, my stupid asthma gets all excited and hangs on to the plague for as long as it can. My asthma is an illness whore.

I had a tetanus shot, too. I was a bit trepidatious about that, because the last time I had a tetanus shot, the nurse was a sadistic barbarian, and I think she used a javelin instead of a needle. My muscle was swollen and hurting for days. But this time, I barely felt it, and my shoulder feels just fine, which is good, because I don't want it aching while doing heaps of jumping jacks tonight.

I still need to pack for my trip. I need to do laundry, so I have clean dance gear. I need to figure out what I'll be doing for meals. I need to buy transit tokens. Gah! Stupid everyday mundanities getting in the way of dance! Wanna be my personal assistant/manager? I'll pay in dance/fitness training.

Link time? Ok.

Carnivorous Clock Takes a Bite Out of Bugs While Telling Time: This is just weird.

Bag Your Jacket Lining: A tutorial on how to line a jacket. I'm hoping I can figure this out for my coat (thanks, chernobylred).

20 Cool Home Library Design Ideas: Now this is my kind of porn! SEXY!

Dancers Among Us - Gallery | Jordan Matter Photography: Truly gorgeous photos of dancers doing their thing in otherwise everyday scenarios.

Man has knife removed from brain after four years: "A man in China complaining of headaches and strange taste in his mouth was found to have a 4-inch knife buried in his brain."

Regrowing hair: Researchers may have accidentally discovered a solution: Better than hair plugs!

And here's what I looked like this morning while I was waiting for the dye to set on the tips of my hair.