Conceived as an institution that would embody Canada as a whole, the CBC now struggles in a fractured media landscape.

Its narrow programming choices, dogmatic politics, and politically correct hosts cater to ever shrinking audiences. The once proud broadcaster has alienated so many viewers and listeners that Canada's Conservative Party now sees a winning strategy in promising to defund it. Author and producer David Cayley, who for three decades made radio documentaries for CBC Radio's Ideas, goes back to the CBC's roots to examine how it lost its way and to ask searching questions about the nature of media and the "public" in the twenty-first century. He calls for a bold new vision—a CBC that transcends its recent past and rebuilds as a unifying force, championing curiosity, dialogue, and a pluralistic Canadian identity.

A must-read for anyone who cares about the cultural heart of Canada.