First, it was Russian TV, now groups are asking federal regulators to block Russian websites in Canada, says Blacklock’s Reporter..The CRTC on Wednesday imposed a symbolic ban on the Kremlin-controlled Russia Today TV news channel — it had no viewership in Canada — but noted “Canadians will still be able to access the content on other platforms such as the internet should they choose.”.“The Commission must strike a delicate balance between ensuring the broadcasting system serves the public interest and respecting freedom of expression,” the CRTC wrote in its decision..All telecom providers in Canada that had offered Russia Today to cable and satellite customers suspended the service February 28..“Their content appears to constitute abusive comment since it tends to or is likely to expose the Ukrainian people to hatred or contempt on the basis of their race, national or ethnic origin and that their programming is antithetical to the achievement of the policy objectives of the Broadcasting Act,” wrote the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission..Russia Today was launched in 2005. The CRTC in 2009 licensed it for distribution as a specialty service in Canada. The European Union banned it March 2..The Estonian Central Council of Canada in a petition said the CRTC should go further and begin blocking Russian websites available to Canadian internet users..“Block all websites and social media accounts of Russian state media,” wrote Reet Sehr, of Toronto, vice-president of the Council..“It is entirely inappropriate for Russian state-owned or controlled media to broadcast in Canada. I strongly support the removal of Russia Today and all other Russian state media from Canadian airwaves and the internet in Canada.”.The Ukrainian Canadian Congress also petitioned the CRTC to block websites. Media programs funded by the Russian government were “contrary to all basic Canadian values,” wrote Peter Schturyn, president of the Congress’ Toronto branch..“I strongly support the removal of Russia Today and all other Russian state media from Canadian airwaves and the internet in Canada,” wrote Schturyn..“I call on the Government of Canada to immediately ban Russia Today and all other Russian state media from broadcasting on TV or radio in Canada and to block all the websites and social media accounts of Russian state media.”
