I find it much more even handed. All four national networks seem to deliver criticism to the goverment without stepping over the line into either parody or insanity. It seems as though CityTV/CHUM is the most overall conservative in tone, but the CBC has been accused of being highly liberal. No channel up here comes close to Fox Noise in tactic nor rhetoric.
It's not like these shows didn't raise eyebrows or protest when the decisions were made to air them uncensored ( The Sopranos and Nip/Tuck both air on CTV, The Shield on Global/CanWest). It's seems, though, the average Canadian doesn't find language as much an issue as violence. Most criticism of these show seemed to be levelled at the violence.
Yeah, as a nation, we seem to think blood is worse than words.

Kirsten,
That sounds very reasonable. The words themselves are not the problem, but the message they convey. I dont understand why a country founded on some very basic ideals such as freedom of speech, has such restrictions. I know that many of them are self imposed or by the FCC, but still... Is your news similar to CNN and Fox or does it take a more level-headed approach?

To give a clue about Canada's speech restrictions:

The Sopranos aired on a national network in late prime time. Completely uncensored. Same with Nip/Tuck and The Shield.
We don't really have any restrictions on language. Unless you spout racist or misogynist or- yes- even homophobic remarks. Then they nail you with hate speech charges.
For some reason, I don't have an issue with that kind of restriction.

My favorite part was when right-wingers complain, "The reason that got censored is that networks are so afraid of putting anything not P.C. on the air they censor everything."

I responded, "Well, maybe if Colin Powell's kid didn't fine CBS millions for the Janet Jackson incident that hurt absolutely nobody, networks wouldn't be so apprehensive."

I'm just sorry they didn't censor Ray Romano's entire unfunny monologue. Gee, what a great way to limp into the awards.

We thought that too. In fact we were wondering waht was going on all night and were putting it down to an amateur-night production. Guess we got both.

TrickyNik,
I know! When they did that, my husband and I kinda looked at each other and said, what's wrong with the TV, what's wrong with their transmission? When we figured out what they cut, we couldn't believe how innocuous it was.

It was a stupid thing for Fox to censor something like her saying "God damned war." It is a strange thought to me that Canada may have more open access and less restrictions on speech (even if self imposed) than here in the US. But really, her speech was not that notable other than it is very mainstream to be vocal about opposition to the war in Iraq.

Thank god. Poor thing.

Back when she was our next door neighbor, I was closer with her younger sister, whose name is...Princess.

Her dad was an actor Jock O'Mahoney) who played Tarzan and cowboy roles (on TV, "Range Rider" and "Yancy Derringer"). He exercised by jumping on a trampoline, so we'd look over the fence and see this head bouncing up and down, up and down.

The people who eventually bought their house turned out to be forgers. I used to watch the big black cars come in at 11 pm every night and wonder what was up. They got busted, that's what.

Encino, CA was more interesting than Johnny Carson made it out to be. : D

She will no longer be remembered for " You like me. You really like me."

Lead actor in free speech.

And the Emmy goes to: SALLY FIELD.