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National Film Board on the Missing Canadian Digitization Strategy

By Michael Geist

In its submission to the CRTC New Media consultation, the National Film Board of Canada warns:

Canada today finds itself years behind other countries in developing a clearly  focused and effective digitization strategy. The United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and China have already established digitization strategies that feature robust programs and ambitious plans. An effective digitization strategy yields significant domestic benefits such as wider access to knowledge for the creative industry and all communities, a greater appreciation of national cultural heritage, and the facilitation of lifelong learning. A digitization plan could also lead to a cultural export strategy. 

While I don't think the CRTC is the right venue for this, the continued sluggish development of a strategy by Library and Archives Canada and the utter missing-in-action approach from the government (Canadian Heritage seems more committed to locking up content in C-61 than in making it available) merits far greater attention.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on July 23, 2008 (boomark / email).