Radio Content about Birth Control and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

On 10 January 2013 15:18, CFBX Radio <radio8music@yahoo.com> wrote: Hi folks, looking for some clarity on the CRTC regulations regarding broadcast of material related to birth control and STDs. The CRTC regulations I have say: The following items are prohibited from being mentioned on air: - any program about the subject of birth control or venereal disease, unless that program is presented in a manner appropriate to the medium of broadcasting. This is very vague. Does anyone have specifics on what this regulation means? Freya Zaltz, Legal Advisor to the National Campus and Community Radio Association, replied:

I haven't been able to find much in the past that sheds light on this.  I think it's a very outdated policy that the CRTC just hasn't taken steps to update in recent years.  This is what I think the CRTC currently expects with respect to this type of programming:

(a) consider your intended audience and your potential audience when determining the content of the program and whether it's justifiable and appropriate;

(b) during daytime hours, limit sexually explicit content to material that's presented in an informative and educational manner, and to only what's required in order to present the material accurately and responsibly (i.e. not sensational or gratuitously graphic);

(c) at all times of day but particularly during daytime hours, provide warnings before and during the program so that listeners are aware of the subject matter of the program (just a simple statement that the program contains sexual content is sufficient so listeners can decide if it's appropriate to keep listening); and

(d) avoid unbalanced programming that condemns people for certain behaviour, tells listeners how they ought to behave, or illustrates sexism or homophobia or other forms of discrimination;

(e) focus on providing an informed and balanced analysis and discussion of options and resources.

Some may disagree with this, but I think it's what the CRTC would expect if they had to investigate complaints from listeners.