Still the focus of major political controversy today, the essential issues in Canadian broadcasting emerged thirty years ago. This fascinating book traces both the development of radio from its beginnings in 1920 to the inception of television in 1952, and the formation of public policy throughout these years. The course of the development was far from smooth. Professor Peers describes the contending forces, the politicians, pressure groups, newspapers, and business interests that joined in the fray. The inner story of the power struggles involved is told here thoroughly for the first...

This book traces the development of the broadcasting system in Canada from the inception of television in 1952 to the passing of the Broadcast Act of 1968, focusing on the policy decisions made by governments and broadcasting authorities and the circumstances under which they were made. Several public investigations of the system and its performance took place during television's first sixteen years in Canada and their aims and outcomes form an important part of the story.

The book deals with the relationships between the CBC, the private broadcasters, government, and the regulatory...