Canadian Private Broadcasters - Sex-Role Portrayal Code
In 1982, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) directed Canadian private broadcasters to address the issue of gender stereotyping in the broadcast media. In response the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) created voluntary guidelines on sex-role stereotyping. In 1990, these guidelines were revised and became the Sex-Role Portrayal Code for Television and Radio Programming.
The Code is intended to help broadcasters overcome any systemic discrimination based on gender that may be portrayed in programming. Compliance is voluntary; but the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) requires adherence to the code as a condition of licence.
Among the code’s nine guidelines, key commitments for programming include:
Diversity in sex-role portrayals, such as not limiting men to positions of power, and providing women and girls with a wide range of roles.
A reflection of the intellectual and emotional equality of the sexes.
A ban on sexual exploitation.
Sensitivity to the sex-role models provided to children.
A commitment to eliminating negative sex-role portrayals, and encouraging positive and progressive models.
The Sex-Role Portrayal Code is administered by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC). To submit a complaint about broadcasting content that may contravene the Code, consumers can use the complaint forms on the CBSC and the CRTC Web sites (see right sidebar).
