The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. spent a half-million dollars over the last four years on promotional giveaways for its employees and fans.
The costs have jumped considerably. In 2009, the broadcaster spent $20,802 on the items. Last year, it had increased 550 per cent to $135,278 (although that was $50,000 less than the broadcaster spent the year prior).
Read the full story.
CBC Exposed - The Book
CBC: reporting the facts – correctly – is not a key tenet of it's journalism
Last night, I was very disappointed in Peter Mansbridge. Well, really CBC’s The National program itself, which showed once again that reporting the facts–correctly–is not a key tenet of its taxpayer-funded journalism.
It’s a significant problem for me that tailings ponds are growing, but I am pretty satisfied in the knowledge that producers are working on this problem and recognize it as a key priority area. What’s a bigger problem for me is that the CBC, a respected Canadian news organization, would so casually put forward such grossly misleading information on a critically important issue that has become largely about perception. Shame.
Read the full story.
It’s a significant problem for me that tailings ponds are growing, but I am pretty satisfied in the knowledge that producers are working on this problem and recognize it as a key priority area. What’s a bigger problem for me is that the CBC, a respected Canadian news organization, would so casually put forward such grossly misleading information on a critically important issue that has become largely about perception. Shame.
Read the full story.
NDP draws fire over CBC conflict of interest
One of the NDP's strongest advocates for the CBC is being paid tens of thousands of dollars a year by the state broadcaster while voting on the CBC's funding and debating its future.
Liberal and Conservative MPs now say NDP MP Andrew Cash should resign his position on the House of Commons heritage committee for violating conflict of interest rules.
On Sept. 26, 2011, Cash provided a commitment in writing to the House of Commons ethics commissioner and to the clerk of the House of Commons that he "shall not participate in debate or voting at the Standing Committee of Canadian Heritage on matters to do with the CBC in which I have a private interest."
And yet, within a month of making that commitment - and on several occasions since - Cash has not only debated CBC matters, he participated in votes on CBC's funding.
Read the full story.
Liberal and Conservative MPs now say NDP MP Andrew Cash should resign his position on the House of Commons heritage committee for violating conflict of interest rules.
On Sept. 26, 2011, Cash provided a commitment in writing to the House of Commons ethics commissioner and to the clerk of the House of Commons that he "shall not participate in debate or voting at the Standing Committee of Canadian Heritage on matters to do with the CBC in which I have a private interest."
And yet, within a month of making that commitment - and on several occasions since - Cash has not only debated CBC matters, he participated in votes on CBC's funding.
Read the full story.
Heritage Minister James Moore challenges CBC boss Hubert Lacroix
Heritage Minister James Moore personally called the CBC's top boss Thursday to challenge him over the French-language service's decision to drop "Canada" from its name.
Radio-Canada announced this week it would rename itself 'Ici' — or 'Here' in French.
The design and selection of the new Canada-free name by the state broadcaster cost taxpayers $400,000.
And Bloc Quebecois leader Daniel Paille questioned the Crown corporation's decision to drop hundreds of thousands of dollars on the rebranding when it was fretting over recent budget belt-tightening.
Read the full story.
Radio-Canada announced this week it would rename itself 'Ici' — or 'Here' in French.
The design and selection of the new Canada-free name by the state broadcaster cost taxpayers $400,000.
And Bloc Quebecois leader Daniel Paille questioned the Crown corporation's decision to drop hundreds of thousands of dollars on the rebranding when it was fretting over recent budget belt-tightening.
Read the full story.
CBC pays $56,000 of taxpayer money to find out what their own employees think about CBC!
It cost taxpayers more than $56,000 for the CBC to survey its own employees and so-called opinion leaders last winter to measure their feelings about the state broadcaster.
Documents obtained through an access to information request show the CBC signed a sole-sourced contract with Phoenix Strategic Partners to conduct the online surveys between November and December 2011.
The CBC asked Phoenix to assemble a panel of 2,000 “stakeholders” from across Canada, but to include more francophone panellists than the pollster used in a similar survey a year earlier.
Survey results among CBC employees were not publicly available.
Read the full story.
Documents obtained through an access to information request show the CBC signed a sole-sourced contract with Phoenix Strategic Partners to conduct the online surveys between November and December 2011.
The CBC asked Phoenix to assemble a panel of 2,000 “stakeholders” from across Canada, but to include more francophone panellists than the pollster used in a similar survey a year earlier.
Survey results among CBC employees were not publicly available.
Read the full story.
CBC's boss must think we're fools
Apparently, the outrage caused over the CBC’s plan to ditch the word Canada in the rebranding of its French-language service as “Ici” (Here) was entirely our fault. You and me. The unwashed public.
According to Mother Corp.’s president, Hubert Lacroix, the public broadcaster never intended to expunge reference to Canada from its name.
No, no, he insisted in an “apology” Monday that was neither abject nor sincere, the problem was all in the ear of the hearer or the eye of the viewer. Anyone who worried that Radio-Canada was out and “Ici” was in was simply “confused.” Mostly, Lacroix seemed sorry so many Canadians were idiots.
Despite an elaborate rollout campaign, including high-priced ads showing hip, young CBC employees erasing the French-language services’ old names for its radio, television, canned music and digital news services and replacing them with “Ici,” Lacroix was adamant that CBC — which receives $1.1 billion a year from Canadian taxpayers — was always going to keep “Canada” on its letterhead and business cards.
It’s amazing what fools Lacroix must imagine we all are to fall for his disingenuous explanation.
Read the full story.
According to Mother Corp.’s president, Hubert Lacroix, the public broadcaster never intended to expunge reference to Canada from its name.
No, no, he insisted in an “apology” Monday that was neither abject nor sincere, the problem was all in the ear of the hearer or the eye of the viewer. Anyone who worried that Radio-Canada was out and “Ici” was in was simply “confused.” Mostly, Lacroix seemed sorry so many Canadians were idiots.
Despite an elaborate rollout campaign, including high-priced ads showing hip, young CBC employees erasing the French-language services’ old names for its radio, television, canned music and digital news services and replacing them with “Ici,” Lacroix was adamant that CBC — which receives $1.1 billion a year from Canadian taxpayers — was always going to keep “Canada” on its letterhead and business cards.
It’s amazing what fools Lacroix must imagine we all are to fall for his disingenuous explanation.
Read the full story.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp's botched rebranding effort
What's neither “here” nor “there” and costs almost $500,000?
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp's botched rebranding effort for its French language service.
The CBC will not change the name of Radio Canada to “Ici” -- which translates into "here" in English -- after all, despite spending $400,000 on the notion.
With taxpayers ponying up more than $1 billion a year to fund the corporation, most critics said that the word “Canada” needed to stay in the name.
Read the full story.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp's botched rebranding effort for its French language service.
The CBC will not change the name of Radio Canada to “Ici” -- which translates into "here" in English -- after all, despite spending $400,000 on the notion.
With taxpayers ponying up more than $1 billion a year to fund the corporation, most critics said that the word “Canada” needed to stay in the name.
Read the full story.
CBC’s French service name change to ‘Ici’ raises eyebrows in Ottawa
The CBC is rebranding its French-language service in a move that will see two iconic words – “Radio-Canada” – largely fade away from the country’s media landscape.
Instead of using the long-standing label as its main calling card, the CBC’s many French-language platforms will all be renamed “Ici” – meaning “here” – throughout all channels and websites.
The CBC is arguing that the changes will affect its visual presence on television and the Internet mostly, to modernize the brand in a changing media landscape. Still, the disappearance of “Canada” from the Crown corporation’s main identifier did not go unnoticed in Ottawa, where Heritage Minister James Moore called on the CBC’s board and management to explain the change.
Read the full story.
Instead of using the long-standing label as its main calling card, the CBC’s many French-language platforms will all be renamed “Ici” – meaning “here” – throughout all channels and websites.
The CBC is arguing that the changes will affect its visual presence on television and the Internet mostly, to modernize the brand in a changing media landscape. Still, the disappearance of “Canada” from the Crown corporation’s main identifier did not go unnoticed in Ottawa, where Heritage Minister James Moore called on the CBC’s board and management to explain the change.
Read the full story.
Bill would force CBC to reveal more info about spending
The CBC remains opaque even as a bill aiming to make it more transparent weaves its way through Parliament.
The publicly funded broadcaster has a poor track record of disclosing information and a nasty habit of hiding behind one clause of the Access to Information Act that allows it to withhold info it feels would compromise its journalistic integrity, creativity or programming activities.
Tory MP Brent Rathgeber believes the broadcaster abuses that clause and his private member's bill C-461 aims to change that.
Read the full story.
The publicly funded broadcaster has a poor track record of disclosing information and a nasty habit of hiding behind one clause of the Access to Information Act that allows it to withhold info it feels would compromise its journalistic integrity, creativity or programming activities.
Tory MP Brent Rathgeber believes the broadcaster abuses that clause and his private member's bill C-461 aims to change that.
Read the full story.
A new and unseemly arrogance at CBC
Maybe the CBC isn’t so desperate for money, after all.
On Tuesday, the public broadcaster received permission to run ads on its Radio 2 and French-language Espace Musique services, an enormously controversial move projected to bring in $6-million to $10-million a year. The CBC told the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, as part of a licence renewal hearing, that it needed to find alternative sources of funds in the face of another $150-million cut to its federal subsidy.
Loyal listeners and competing broadcasters lined up to attack the move, but CBC president Hubert Lacroix insisted it was necessary to fulfill the vision outlined in its five-year plan known as Strategy 2015.
After years of being pushed to act more like a private broadcaster, maybe CBC is just doing what its critics suggested: sharpening its elbows and guarding its turf. Except that the National Post story noted the ads are still running on stations owned by BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc., even though both of those companies operate online news operations that compete with Postmedia.
In fact, CBC has run ads for other broadcasters, including spots this year for Global TV’s broadcast of the Grammys.
The move is part of a new and unseemly arrogance at CBC.
Read the full story.
On Tuesday, the public broadcaster received permission to run ads on its Radio 2 and French-language Espace Musique services, an enormously controversial move projected to bring in $6-million to $10-million a year. The CBC told the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, as part of a licence renewal hearing, that it needed to find alternative sources of funds in the face of another $150-million cut to its federal subsidy.
Loyal listeners and competing broadcasters lined up to attack the move, but CBC president Hubert Lacroix insisted it was necessary to fulfill the vision outlined in its five-year plan known as Strategy 2015.
After years of being pushed to act more like a private broadcaster, maybe CBC is just doing what its critics suggested: sharpening its elbows and guarding its turf. Except that the National Post story noted the ads are still running on stations owned by BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc., even though both of those companies operate online news operations that compete with Postmedia.
In fact, CBC has run ads for other broadcasters, including spots this year for Global TV’s broadcast of the Grammys.
The move is part of a new and unseemly arrogance at CBC.
Read the full story.
New libel lawsuit launched against the CBC
Senator Pana Merchant and her husband, lawyer Tony Merchant, have launched a libel lawsuit against the CBC.
A statement of claim filed in Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench involves a CBC story that said Tony Merchant had put $1.7 million into offshore tax havens. A television story entitled “Merchant of Secrecy” was followed by similar radio and Internet reports.
The Merchants say the stories left the impression that they broke the law.
“These defendants’ allegations in their April 3 video story and other stories were untrue and misleading, internally inconsistent, and incorrect on facts and law, all of which were intended to convey … that the (Merchants) had committed or were involved in unlawful conduct,” said the statement of claim.
The claim also names two CBC reporters and a journalist with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in Washington, D.C. — the organization which leaked detailed financial information about thousands of people from around the world.
The head of media relations for the CBC, Chuck Thompson, said Wednesday that the broadcaster is taking the situation under review.
Read the full story.
A statement of claim filed in Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench involves a CBC story that said Tony Merchant had put $1.7 million into offshore tax havens. A television story entitled “Merchant of Secrecy” was followed by similar radio and Internet reports.
The Merchants say the stories left the impression that they broke the law.
“These defendants’ allegations in their April 3 video story and other stories were untrue and misleading, internally inconsistent, and incorrect on facts and law, all of which were intended to convey … that the (Merchants) had committed or were involved in unlawful conduct,” said the statement of claim.
The claim also names two CBC reporters and a journalist with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in Washington, D.C. — the organization which leaked detailed financial information about thousands of people from around the world.
The head of media relations for the CBC, Chuck Thompson, said Wednesday that the broadcaster is taking the situation under review.
Read the full story.
CBC warns budget bill could lead to lawsuits
CBC warns of lawsuit over efforts to control salary negotiations.
The CBC is warning the federal government that its efforts to control salary negotiations at the Crown agency could be at odds with the Broadcasting Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, leading to litigation.
Canadian Broadcasting Corp. chief executive Hubert Lacroix sent a letter to the Commons finance committee Wednesday, pleading for an amendment to the budget implementation bill to ensure the broadcaster’s independence.
But when Liberal MP Scott Brison read parts of the letter to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, the minister stiffly dismissed any possibility of changes to the bill.
“The CBC may think it is a special, independent, Crown agency. This is wrong,” Mr. Flaherty said.
Read the full story.
The CBC is warning the federal government that its efforts to control salary negotiations at the Crown agency could be at odds with the Broadcasting Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, leading to litigation.
Canadian Broadcasting Corp. chief executive Hubert Lacroix sent a letter to the Commons finance committee Wednesday, pleading for an amendment to the budget implementation bill to ensure the broadcaster’s independence.
But when Liberal MP Scott Brison read parts of the letter to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, the minister stiffly dismissed any possibility of changes to the bill.
“The CBC may think it is a special, independent, Crown agency. This is wrong,” Mr. Flaherty said.
Read the full story.
Bill to force the CBC to be more open with Access to Information requests could face amendments
A Conservative private member's bill to publicize the salaries of civil service honchos and CBC bigwigs, as well as force the CBC to be more open with Access to Information requests could soon face several Harper government amendments.
Conservative MP Brent Rathgeber fears his bill will be badly hobbled, likely Tuesday.
"I am not hopeful," Rathgebert told QMI Agency.
He says the government wants his bill's "sunshine list" to cover only federal civil servants and CBC employees with annual salaries and bonuses worth around $444,000 - more than the prime minister makes and 10 times the average salary in Canada.
Rathgeber wants the list to apply to anyone making at least $188,000 a year.
Read the full story.
"I am not hopeful," Rathgebert told QMI Agency.
He says the government wants his bill's "sunshine list" to cover only federal civil servants and CBC employees with annual salaries and bonuses worth around $444,000 - more than the prime minister makes and 10 times the average salary in Canada.
Rathgeber wants the list to apply to anyone making at least $188,000 a year.
Read the full story.
CBC decries proposed access to information changes ...
The CBC is warning that a private member’s bill requiring the broadcaster to disclose more information about its investigative journalism, sources and business strategies will hamper its ability to break stories and could lead to court.
Bill C-461 would change the scope of information the CBC would have to disclose under the Access to Information Act, allowing the broadcaster to deny requests only if they compromise the “independence” of the CBC. As it is, the crown corporation–and biggest news operation in the country–can refuse ATIP requests that would threaten the company’s journalistic practices. The act also allows the CBC to deny information dealing with its programming and creative activities.
Read the full story.
Bill C-461 would change the scope of information the CBC would have to disclose under the Access to Information Act, allowing the broadcaster to deny requests only if they compromise the “independence” of the CBC. As it is, the crown corporation–and biggest news operation in the country–can refuse ATIP requests that would threaten the company’s journalistic practices. The act also allows the CBC to deny information dealing with its programming and creative activities.
Read the full story.
CBC DEFENDS AIRING UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATION
CBC DEFENDS AIRING UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATION CLAIMING ISRAEL USED CHEMICAL WEAPONS ON PALESTINIAN CHILDREN
We recently alerted you to how CBC Radio’s “Information Morning Fredericton” program elected to air an unsubstantiated allegation by anti-Israel activist Tracy Glynn claiming Israel intentionally used chemical weapons on Palestinian children in Gaza in the 2008-09 war with Hamas.
As we pointed out in our alert: “… mentioning ‘chemical weapons’ that Gazan children ‘survived’ certainly conjures up images of Sarin, Mustard Gas, VX and other nerve agents. These are the very same charges that the Syrian government stands accused of in its civil war with rebel forces and vice versa. The alleged use of these weapons is regarded as crossing U.S. President Barack Obama’s self-imposed red line which may prompt a U.S. or coalition military intervention in Syria.”
Glynn’s statement was tantamount to accusing Israel of war crimes and crimes against humanity on innocent Palestinian children. These were incredibly serious unfounded charges that came from a pre-recorded comment. CBC journalists heard this comment before it went to air and chose to broadcast it over CBC airwaves. As such, we pointed out that CBC must take responsibility for this inflammatory and unfounded allegation it gave a platform to and apologize to its listeners.
Read the full story.
We recently alerted you to how CBC Radio’s “Information Morning Fredericton” program elected to air an unsubstantiated allegation by anti-Israel activist Tracy Glynn claiming Israel intentionally used chemical weapons on Palestinian children in Gaza in the 2008-09 war with Hamas.
As we pointed out in our alert: “… mentioning ‘chemical weapons’ that Gazan children ‘survived’ certainly conjures up images of Sarin, Mustard Gas, VX and other nerve agents. These are the very same charges that the Syrian government stands accused of in its civil war with rebel forces and vice versa. The alleged use of these weapons is regarded as crossing U.S. President Barack Obama’s self-imposed red line which may prompt a U.S. or coalition military intervention in Syria.”
Glynn’s statement was tantamount to accusing Israel of war crimes and crimes against humanity on innocent Palestinian children. These were incredibly serious unfounded charges that came from a pre-recorded comment. CBC journalists heard this comment before it went to air and chose to broadcast it over CBC airwaves. As such, we pointed out that CBC must take responsibility for this inflammatory and unfounded allegation it gave a platform to and apologize to its listeners.
Read the full story.
CBC is once again refusing to be open
CBC is once again refusing to be open about how it spend taxpayers' money even as MPs debate a bill that would force it to be more forthcoming.
A request for records on the cost of hosting its websites returned plenty of paperwork but no dollar figures.
The dozens of websites owned by CBC — emusiccanada.ca, newsworld.ca and others — appear to have been registered through an American company in Palatine, Ill.
CBC claimed that to release the details of the website costs would go against the "economic interests of Canada."
Read the full story.
A request for records on the cost of hosting its websites returned plenty of paperwork but no dollar figures.
The dozens of websites owned by CBC — emusiccanada.ca, newsworld.ca and others — appear to have been registered through an American company in Palatine, Ill.
CBC claimed that to release the details of the website costs would go against the "economic interests of Canada."
Read the full story.
Fears that amendments would shield the CBC from the information commissioner
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson has brushed aside complaints from a caucus colleague about government amendments to his private member's bill on CBC and civil service accountability.
Conservative MP Brent Rathgeber's bill would create a "sunshine list" to make public which civil servants and CBC employees make more than $188,000 annually, and would allow the information commissioner to investigate complaints that the CBC is too secretive in its responses to Access to Information requests.
Rathgeber fears Nicholson's amendments would shield the CBC from the information commissioner and raise the threshold for the sunshine list to those with annual salaries and bonuses worth around $444,000.
Read the full story.
Conservative MP Brent Rathgeber's bill would create a "sunshine list" to make public which civil servants and CBC employees make more than $188,000 annually, and would allow the information commissioner to investigate complaints that the CBC is too secretive in its responses to Access to Information requests.
Rathgeber fears Nicholson's amendments would shield the CBC from the information commissioner and raise the threshold for the sunshine list to those with annual salaries and bonuses worth around $444,000.
Read the full story.
Amendments to CBC salary bill would only apply to bigwigs
A Conservative private member's bill to publicize the salaries of civil service honchos and CBC bigwigs, as well as force the CBC to be more open with Access to Information requests could soon face several Harper government amendments.
He says the government wants his bill's "sunshine list" to cover only federal civil servants and CBC employees with annual salaries and bonuses worth around $444,000 - more than the prime minister makes and 10 times the average salary in Canada.
Read the full story.
He says the government wants his bill's "sunshine list" to cover only federal civil servants and CBC employees with annual salaries and bonuses worth around $444,000 - more than the prime minister makes and 10 times the average salary in Canada.
Read the full story.
Hubert Lacroix wants to exempt CBC from rules
CBC's president is vowing to fight a bill that would make the state broadcaster more accountable to taxpayers on how its $1 billion per year subsidy is spent.
Under changes proposed in Bill C-60, part of the government's budget implementation legislation, the government could, if desired, force CBC and several other Crown corporations to have their agreements with unions overseen by the government.
In a memo to all CBC staff, Hubert Lacroix said he has pressed government officials for an amendment to exempt CBC from the new rules.
"This could potentially embroil the government, CBC/Radio-Canada and its unions in litigation - not necessarily added value to Canadians," Lacroix wrote in the memo.
The finance minister noted that CBC receives plenty of taxpayers' money each year and they must be accountable for what they pay their employees and executives.
Read the full story.
Under changes proposed in Bill C-60, part of the government's budget implementation legislation, the government could, if desired, force CBC and several other Crown corporations to have their agreements with unions overseen by the government.
In a memo to all CBC staff, Hubert Lacroix said he has pressed government officials for an amendment to exempt CBC from the new rules.
"This could potentially embroil the government, CBC/Radio-Canada and its unions in litigation - not necessarily added value to Canadians," Lacroix wrote in the memo.
The finance minister noted that CBC receives plenty of taxpayers' money each year and they must be accountable for what they pay their employees and executives.
Read the full story.
CBC president Hubert Lacroix didn’t let facts get in the way ...
CBC president Hubert Lacroix didn’t let facts get in the way of a good rant Tuesday at a House of Commons committee looking into sexual harassment at the state broadcaster.
Lacroix attacked two Sun News Network personalities — Byline host Brian Lilley and The Source host Ezra Levant — for “deliberately misleading” Canadians for reporting on sexual harassment at the publicly-funded CBC and host David Suzuki’s demands when he’s on speaking tours.
Read the full story.
Lacroix attacked two Sun News Network personalities — Byline host Brian Lilley and The Source host Ezra Levant — for “deliberately misleading” Canadians for reporting on sexual harassment at the publicly-funded CBC and host David Suzuki’s demands when he’s on speaking tours.
Read the full story.
CBC seems to have a double standard about public accountability
CBC journalists can be relied upon to dig for details on public sector stories that are of interest to Canadians.
The vigour the agency’s journalists are bringing to chase the Mike Duffy-Prime Minister’s Office fiasco playing out in Ottawa is an example of this reporting tradition. In doing its media work, the CBC decries secrecy on public matters of public interest — often very conspicuously referencing government stonewalling it feels it encounters as part of its reporting on stories.
It should do what it can to draw attention to this issue and other public accountability matters connected to Canadian governments. However, the CBC seems to have a double standard about public accountability when it comes to behaving as a Crown corporation. A recent effort by The Record to have the costs made public that are associated with setting up the new CBC Radio and online station serving Waterloo Region went nowhere.
Read the full story.
The vigour the agency’s journalists are bringing to chase the Mike Duffy-Prime Minister’s Office fiasco playing out in Ottawa is an example of this reporting tradition. In doing its media work, the CBC decries secrecy on public matters of public interest — often very conspicuously referencing government stonewalling it feels it encounters as part of its reporting on stories.
It should do what it can to draw attention to this issue and other public accountability matters connected to Canadian governments. However, the CBC seems to have a double standard about public accountability when it comes to behaving as a Crown corporation. A recent effort by The Record to have the costs made public that are associated with setting up the new CBC Radio and online station serving Waterloo Region went nowhere.
Read the full story.
CBC failed Albertans
Their slogan says "Canada Lives Here," but the CBC's news channel has a narrow view of that mandate.
Despite receiving nearly $1.2 billion a year from taxpayers to bring Canadians together and keep viewers abreast of historical shifts - like what's going on in Alberta - Canadians missed some intriguing developments the other night.
The state broadcaster chose not to nationally televise Thursday's leaders' debate where unelected Conservative Premier Alison Redford squared off against upstart Wildrose Party Leader Danielle Smith, as well as the leaders of the NDP and Liberals.
Read the full story.
Despite receiving nearly $1.2 billion a year from taxpayers to bring Canadians together and keep viewers abreast of historical shifts - like what's going on in Alberta - Canadians missed some intriguing developments the other night.
The state broadcaster chose not to nationally televise Thursday's leaders' debate where unelected Conservative Premier Alison Redford squared off against upstart Wildrose Party Leader Danielle Smith, as well as the leaders of the NDP and Liberals.
Read the full story.
CBC demands more money
CBC wants more money from Canadians to pay for local services but isn't willing to say exactly what that money will buy.
A request for details on the cost of their new studios in Hamilton, Ont., including the acquisition, renovation and furnishing of a decrepit old building in the city's downtown core, was granted -- with plenty of information removed.
CBC cited security concerns, competitive issues and privacy in refusing to release what they are spending taxpayers money on.
CBC became subject to the Access to Information Act in 2007. Since then, they have received failing grades for failure to comply with the law and lost two court challenges where they attempted to keep their secrets from being made public.
Read the full story.
A request for details on the cost of their new studios in Hamilton, Ont., including the acquisition, renovation and furnishing of a decrepit old building in the city's downtown core, was granted -- with plenty of information removed.
CBC cited security concerns, competitive issues and privacy in refusing to release what they are spending taxpayers money on.
CBC became subject to the Access to Information Act in 2007. Since then, they have received failing grades for failure to comply with the law and lost two court challenges where they attempted to keep their secrets from being made public.
Read the full story.
CBC's music service bleeding taxpayer cash
CBC defends losing millions of dollars to set up a free music service even as it cancelled other programming and laid off staff.
Last February the state broadcaster launched CBC Music, an online music service that gives away for free what other existing private music services charge money for. While CBC doesn't charge users to listen to the latest Rihanna, Katy Perry or Aerosmith, the artists must be paid.
Now it is reported that CBC is expected to lose close to $6 million in its first year of operation and there is no break even point on the horizon.
Stephen Taylor, with the National Citizen's Coalition, said CBC's decision to use tax dollars to compete with the private sector is troublesome.
Read the full story.
Last February the state broadcaster launched CBC Music, an online music service that gives away for free what other existing private music services charge money for. While CBC doesn't charge users to listen to the latest Rihanna, Katy Perry or Aerosmith, the artists must be paid.
Now it is reported that CBC is expected to lose close to $6 million in its first year of operation and there is no break even point on the horizon.
Stephen Taylor, with the National Citizen's Coalition, said CBC's decision to use tax dollars to compete with the private sector is troublesome.
Read the full story.
Exposing the CBC
The NDP wants more transparency from all government departments but when it comes to the CBC they bend over backwards to protect the state broadcaster.
See the video here.
See the video here.
CBC integrity not in danger with Treasury Board limits ...
Heritage Minister James Moore is brushing off criticisms from Friends of Canadian Broadcasting lobbyists about the CBC losing "editorial independence" if the feds get involved in Crown corporation labour talks.
"It's very clear in the Broadcast Act, section 46, the CBC has full independence of what they decide to put on the air or not, on radio and television or online," Moore said Thursday. "The editorial independence of CBC is entirely untouched."
Allies of the CBC have latched onto a small section of the Conservatives' more than 100-page budget bill that would let the Treasury Board set limits on what Crown corporations' could agree to in labour negotiations.
Read the full story.
"It's very clear in the Broadcast Act, section 46, the CBC has full independence of what they decide to put on the air or not, on radio and television or online," Moore said Thursday. "The editorial independence of CBC is entirely untouched."
Allies of the CBC have latched onto a small section of the Conservatives' more than 100-page budget bill that would let the Treasury Board set limits on what Crown corporations' could agree to in labour negotiations.
Read the full story.
Bill would force CBC to reveal more info about spending
The CBC remains opaque even as a bill aiming to make it more transparent weaves its way through Parliament.
The publicly funded broadcaster has a poor track record of disclosing information and a nasty habit of hiding behind one clause of the Access to Information Act that allows it to withhold info it feels would compromise its journalistic integrity, creativity or programming activities.
Asked for information on the expenses of an executive meeting in Montreal - accommodation, food, entertainment - the broadcaster provided accommodation expenses but withheld food and other costs ...
Read the full story.
The publicly funded broadcaster has a poor track record of disclosing information and a nasty habit of hiding behind one clause of the Access to Information Act that allows it to withhold info it feels would compromise its journalistic integrity, creativity or programming activities.
Asked for information on the expenses of an executive meeting in Montreal - accommodation, food, entertainment - the broadcaster provided accommodation expenses but withheld food and other costs ...
Read the full story.
The CBC is a historic cultural burden with an expired mandate ...
The CBC has more unions protecting its journalistic independence, and this includes covering butts and protecting deadwood, than virtually any private enterprise known to private enterprise.
If not for the taxpayer kicking in billions, the CBC would have gone belly up long ago, or at least been forced to compete for its survival with commercial radio and television.
The CBC is not "sacred," as many of its supporters claim.
The CBC is what it is -- a historic cultural burden with an expired mandate.
Read the full story.
If not for the taxpayer kicking in billions, the CBC would have gone belly up long ago, or at least been forced to compete for its survival with commercial radio and television.
The CBC is not "sacred," as many of its supporters claim.
The CBC is what it is -- a historic cultural burden with an expired mandate.
Read the full story.
CBC wastes your money documenting Brian Lilley ...
Richard Nixon kept an enemies list and so does CBC. No surprise that I'm on CBC's list but I was surprised to finally get my hands on the "Quebecor Briefing Book."
I became aware of the document after requesting and receiving the 547 pages that CBC had amassed on me and the stories I had written about its problems with openness, transparency and handling of taxpayers money. Tucked away in those many pages was an email that made reference to a document all about Quebecor, parent company of Sun News Network and this newspaper.
Well CBC was asked for the document and they said it couldn't be released.
Then CBC said it didn't exist.
Read the full story.
I became aware of the document after requesting and receiving the 547 pages that CBC had amassed on me and the stories I had written about its problems with openness, transparency and handling of taxpayers money. Tucked away in those many pages was an email that made reference to a document all about Quebecor, parent company of Sun News Network and this newspaper.
Well CBC was asked for the document and they said it couldn't be released.
Then CBC said it didn't exist.
Read the full story.
CBC Airs False Allegation ...
CBC Airs False Allegation that Israel Used Chemical Weapons in ’08-’09 Gaza War.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Radio’s “Information Morning Fredericton” program elected to air an unsubstantiated allegation claiming Israel intentionally used chemical weapons on Palestinian children in Gaza in the 2008-09 war with Hamas.
The allegation came during a segment that aired April 26th, about an exhibit curated in Fredericton depicting fake Gaza art.
Read the full story.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Radio’s “Information Morning Fredericton” program elected to air an unsubstantiated allegation claiming Israel intentionally used chemical weapons on Palestinian children in Gaza in the 2008-09 war with Hamas.
The allegation came during a segment that aired April 26th, about an exhibit curated in Fredericton depicting fake Gaza art.
Read the full story.
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