With job cuts coming to Global Okanagan (CHBC) the idea has been raised about an independent TV station again serving the valley.
The layoffs are part of cuts affecting 55 Unifor members at four Corus Entertainment outlets across Canada. The number of job losses at CHBC is not yet known.
害羞草研究所淣one of the layoff notices have taken effect yet, it害羞草研究所檚 business as usual for the short term,害羞草研究所� said Doyle Potenteau, president of the local union chapter for Unifor, M1 Okanagan.
Former CHBC journalist, and Kelowna city councillor, Mohini Singh put out the call for an independent station. She is concerned about the job losses affecting local news and programming.
害羞草研究所淕ood, objective journalism is important to a community and it害羞草研究所檚 being lost. We shouldn害羞草研究所檛 allow that to happen.害羞草研究所�
Although Corus has not indicated it will shut down or sell CHBC Singh feels it could survive as an independent by following the business model of CHEK News in Victoria.
In July 2009, owner Canwest announced it would close CHEK in August after failing to find a buyer. By September the station was sold to employees and local investors for $2. CHEK has thrived ever since. Canwest also previously owned CHBC.
害羞草研究所淐an that be replicated here,害羞草研究所� she asked. 害羞草研究所淐an they work with CHBC, and can something come out of it? It害羞草研究所檚 an amazing success story.害羞草研究所�
Singh has contacted CHEK management about the possibility.
Potenteau has also heard rumblings.
害羞草研究所淗owever, that is just speculation as no one has reached out to the local union regarding the possibility,害羞草研究所� he said.
Black Press Media has contacted CHEK management for comment.
Another former CHBC journalist and city councillor, Rick Webber, was shocked to hear about the layoffs.
害羞草研究所淚 really feel for the staff trying to do their jobs knowing this is looming over them. It害羞草研究所檚 not an easy thing to do.害羞草研究所�
He said it害羞草研究所檚 essentially the end of local news broadcasting in the Okanagan after 65 years.
害羞草研究所淭hat is a bit stunning.害羞草研究所�
Webber said it害羞草研究所檚 his understanding Okanagan newscasts will be pre-recorded in Vancouver with content provided by CHBC staff.
Singh added the community ought to be angry.
害羞草研究所淐an we not be a repeater station for Vancouver. CHBC害羞草研究所檚 motto used to be 害羞草研究所淭he Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 Very Own.害羞草研究所�
Webber noted that CHBC was on the chopping block in the 2000s but absorbed by Global. He said the station has a significant place in the Okanagan and many people rely on TV news.
害羞草研究所淚t has its own style of delivery害羞草研究所 think it still has value and potential for a strong audience.害羞草研究所� It害羞草研究所檚 a big loss (layoffs) and unnecessary.害羞草研究所�
CHBC began broadcasting in 1957 and was started by local radio stations CKOV (Kelowna), CKOR (originally CKOK Pentiction), and CKIZ (originally CJIB Vernon).
