Media Hegemonies: Who Owns What?
In June 2003, a House of Commons Heritage Committee study of the Canadian broadcasting system concluded that the potential problems with cross-media ownership make it essential “that the Government issue a clear and unequivocal policy concerning cross-media ownership.” This hasn’t happened yet. As a result, you must research cross media ownership, convergence, and concentration in Canada. Start by browsing through (http://www.yourmedia.ca/). Then, as a group, you must build a map of Media Ownership/Hegemony. I don’t expect you to map all media ownership – but to select a theme and consider the varying implications of media concentration and convergence. For example, you might organize your map in such a way to include print media (i.e., newspapers and magazines), broadcast media (i.e., radio and television) and/or the Internet—you might choose to map one of the big six (GE, Disney, CBS, Viacom, News Corp., Time Warner). What you are making here is a poster, to be presented in class.
Click the "Read More" link to view our media ownership map and analysis.
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A History of Rogers
The first Alternating Current (AC) radio tube was invented by Ted Rogers Sr. in 1925. This radio tube allows radios to be powered by electrical currents in homes. By 1970, Rogers Cable Television had become the most progressive cable company in all of Canada. In 1985 Rogers became affiliated with the mobile phone industry. In 2000 Rogers Communications Inc. bought out the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team and a mere four years later bought out the Sky Dome that the Jays play in. In the past decade Rogers Communication Inc. has acquired multiple media outlets such as CTV, Sportsnet, FAN 590 Radio and Yahoo!. Ted Rogers passed away in 2008 of heart failure and he was succeeded as CEO the next year by Nadir Mohamed.
Rogers in the Community
Rogers Communication Inc. is not solely a capitalist venture; the corporation is involved in multiple community improvement programs. Using such grants as the Rogers Telefund and the Rogers Documentary fund, RCI contributes to the creation of Canadian films and art projects. Rogers also created a commercial-free educational channel for teachers to utilize in classrooms all across Canada. RCI also contributes to 25 national branches of the United Way program. In Ontario, Rogers contributes to Sheena's Place and Casey House which provide support to those with severe eating disorders and HIV/AIDS. In Alberta, the Cross Cancer Institute has been supported by RCI for many years.