On July 31, 1998 the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) released a call for comments regarding new media. On behalf of the CRTC, the McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology at the University of Toronto has created a virtual forum on new media so as to encourage the widest possible public discussion on the issues raised by Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 1998-82 / Telecom Public Notice CRTC 98-20.

On September 22 the newmedia-forum opened. For the first time, online contributions will form part of the CRTC's record of proceeding. Watch for the Newmedia-Forum News for up-to-the-minute bimonthly summaries, which will also be placed on the CRTC's record of proceeding. You may post until November 22 just before the CRTC convenes the oral phase of the new media hearing.

The CRTC and the McLuhan Program thank you for visiting the newmedia-forum site. Feel free to explore, especially the section on how to respond. We invite you to read the CRTC's Public Notice. Prepare to speak your mind. Mark your calendar for September 22 or let us remind you on opening day. See you in September.