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FYI

Media Beat: June 25, 2018

Media Beat: June 25, 2018

By David Farrell

Controversy continues dogging JAZZ.FM


Listeners to JAZZ.FM91 are dismayed by on-air changes at Canada's only all-jazz radio station, as well as news of allegations of sexual misconduct, workplace harassment and mismanagement against former CEO and president Ross Porter and board members.

"It's so disappointing, shocking that this is going on," says long-time listener Deborah Abbott. She's already cancelled her monthly donations of $120. "It's very, very sad to see it all fall apart."

Hosts at the station often referred to listeners as "members of the JAZZ.FM family," but there have been no explanations on air about the recent departures of four long-time on-air personalities, nor the earlier departure last fall of station stalwarts, including the vice president of creative talent Dani Elwell, who doubled as an on-air host, or the departure in April of morning show host Garvia Bailey. – Mary Wiens, CBC News

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CKNT ready to hatch after 7-year gestation

First licensed in 2011 with an original deadline for the station to commence operations by Nov. 22, 2013, CKNT 960 in Mississauga, ON is just now starting to break radio silence.

Owner Elliot Kerr received to get the new 700 watts (days) / 104 watts (nights) AM station. The delays have resulted from three previously planned transmitter sites proving to be unsuitable or rejected by Industry Canada.

The new station is expected to provide local news and information, weather, sports, traffic, including coverage of city council, local business issues, and community-related political and social events.

A radio station originally used the AM 960 frequency out of Cambridge, known today as CJDV-FM.

The target date for the official sign-on is July 1st.

Sowny.net board member RadioActive offers some interesting insights about the station and its readiness to meet its deadline.

CBC News Network makes summer programming cuts

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Starting June 29, CBC News Network will move to a half-hour model from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, but the public broadcaster insists the decision won't hamper its ability to cover breaking news. – The Canadian Press

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Amber Still, executive director of the Polaris Music Prize
Johanna Stickland

Amber Still, executive director of the Polaris Music Prize

Awards

‘Protect the Prize’: The Polaris Music Prize Undergoes Its Biggest Period of Change

Now entering its third decade, the Canadian critic’s prize has expanded its voting pool, adjusted to financial constraints and begun awarding both albums and songs. After years defined by its refined focus, the changes mark a major expansion of the organization’s mission.

In 2025, the Polaris Music Prize celebrated its 20th anniversary. Entering its third decade, the award is undergoing what might be its biggest period of change. From funding to voting process, the organization is continuing to evolve.

The cultural not-for-profit organization has spent the better part of two decades creating a space in the industry for Canadian acts to be recognized based solely artistic merit, rather than sales, genre or support from a record label. Founded in the 2000s as Canada's answer to the Mercury Prize, the organization became a registered Canadian charity in 2017.

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