OTTAWA, Feb. 7 /CNW/ - Extensive research by Canada's largest media union shows no motivation for the CRTC to consider lowering Canada's broadcast standards.

"It's bizarre. We went looking and found nothing. There is no record anywhere that sets out any concerns about the current standards. Is this just another case of government interference, conveniently just before Quebecor launches its all-news network? Is a political agenda being forced on an agency that is supposed to regulate in the public interest?" says Peter Murdoch, Vice President, Media for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union.

"It's scary. These uncalled-for proposed changes would radically reduce the threshold for truth and honesty in broadcast journalism. Not one working journalist in the country supports it," says Murdoch. "So who does? Where does such a disastrous proposal come from? The only people who might benefit from it are right-wing spin merchants - leading inevitably to a race to the bottom."

CEP says the CRTC should abandon its attack on the cornerstone of broadcast journalism. "Accuracy and integrity are core values of the journalists who practice the profession." Why isn't the CRTC serving Canadians by strengthening our broadcasting system, instead of weakening its standards and quality of service?

CEP says it will be filing Access to Information Requests to see if it can ferret out who the hidden players are in this unwarranted and dangerous development.