Corncob Bob Back In News

Telecaster Canada gives politicians de facto veto over video clips

CC Bob On hunger strike

Corn Cob Bob launches hunger strike in protest

Toronto, Ontario (Jan 22, 2007) — Telecaster Canada, the group that regulates television advertising content on behalf of Canadian broadcasters, has blocked a television advertisement reminding Canadians about Prime Minister Harper’s campaign commitment to require 5% renewable content in fuel and promoting the benefits of ethanol and biodiesel, which was set to air on Monday, January 22, 2007.

The advertisement in question contained a brief clip from the last election campaign of Stephen Harper speaking to a group of farmers outside Chatham, Ontario on December 21, 2005. Telecaster is requiring the CRFA to get approval from the Prime Minister to use his image in the ad, despite the clip being taken from a public event during an election campaign.

"The Telecaster decision oversteps its authority, muzzles freedom of speech and limits public debate on important issues," said Kory Teneycke, Executive Director of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association. "Public commitments made by politicians during political campaigns have historically been treated as matters of public record, not as copyrighted material owned by the politician in question."

"This is a radical move on the part of Telecaster, and has important implications on public debate in Canada. No politician should be put in the position of having to give permission to use a commitment made during an election campaign," concluded Teneycke.

"Our fearless mascot, Corn Cob Bob, has launched a hunger strike in protest of the decision to ban our ads," said Teneycke. "We hope Telecaster reverses its decision before Bob expires along with freedom of speech."

Founded in 1993, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote renewable fuels for transportation through consumer awareness and government liaison activities. The CRFA membership is comprised of representatives from all levels of the ethanol and biodiesel industry, including: grain and cellulose ethanol producers, biodiesel producers, fuel technology providers and agricultural associations.