CBC executive fired in wake of Ghomeshi scandal sues broadcaster for ‘sacrificing’ him.
A top CBC executive who was fired for his role as a key player in the Jian Ghomeshi affair claims he was politically scapegoated by the public broadcaster, and is suing for more than $700,000.
Todd Spencer, 45, was executive director of human resources and industrial relations, and he led the CBC’s first internal investigation into Ghomeshi’s conduct, after inquiries were made by two journalists in June 2014.
His lawsuit draws into doubt CBC’s claims that it has put the Ghomeshi matter to rest.
Read the full story here.
cbcexposed is all about exposing the waste of the CBC ... over 1 billion dollars a year of taxpayer money funds the cbc and a lot of that taxpayer money is wasted.
Seems no constraints on CBC quest for ratings
A speech given by CBC topper Hubert Lacroix in Vancouver has a troika of private broadcasters steaming mad.
The heads of three private Québec broadcasters have taken exception to comments made by Lacroix, claiming he “mischaracterized” their position on the role of the public broadcaster.
A joint statement issued the following day by Groupe Serdy’s Sébastien Arsenault, Groupe V Média’s Maxime Rémillard and Julie Tremblay from TVA Group said that they are, in fact, simply advocating for “a thorough review of CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate” as part of the Canadian culture review announced last month by Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly.
Continuing, the Quebec media critics stated: In fact, we are not advocating the status quo but, on the contrary, a thorough review of CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate, as part of the comprehensive review of Canada's broadcasting system announced by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, in the course of which we plan to propose concrete, constructive solutions to the issues facing our industry.
As we have already pointed out, if there is no accountability for the additional $675 million that CBC/Radio-Canada is slated to receive, the already precarious balance between the public broadcaster and the rest of the industry will be destroyed. As no accountability measures have been announced thus far, we cannot help but fear that this funding will be a blank cheque for CBC/Radio-Canada to step up its already ferocious competition against private broadcasters.
With all due respect to Mr. Lacroix, the public broadcaster's maneuvers since the last budget seem to bear this out.
We have been astounded by the number and substance of Radio-Canada's program announcements, of which there have been more than 30 in recent weeks.
There seem to be no constraints on the public broadcaster's quest for ratings ...
Read the full story here.
The heads of three private Québec broadcasters have taken exception to comments made by Lacroix, claiming he “mischaracterized” their position on the role of the public broadcaster.
A joint statement issued the following day by Groupe Serdy’s Sébastien Arsenault, Groupe V Média’s Maxime Rémillard and Julie Tremblay from TVA Group said that they are, in fact, simply advocating for “a thorough review of CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate” as part of the Canadian culture review announced last month by Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly.
Continuing, the Quebec media critics stated: In fact, we are not advocating the status quo but, on the contrary, a thorough review of CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate, as part of the comprehensive review of Canada's broadcasting system announced by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, in the course of which we plan to propose concrete, constructive solutions to the issues facing our industry.
As we have already pointed out, if there is no accountability for the additional $675 million that CBC/Radio-Canada is slated to receive, the already precarious balance between the public broadcaster and the rest of the industry will be destroyed. As no accountability measures have been announced thus far, we cannot help but fear that this funding will be a blank cheque for CBC/Radio-Canada to step up its already ferocious competition against private broadcasters.
With all due respect to Mr. Lacroix, the public broadcaster's maneuvers since the last budget seem to bear this out.
We have been astounded by the number and substance of Radio-Canada's program announcements, of which there have been more than 30 in recent weeks.
There seem to be no constraints on the public broadcaster's quest for ratings ...
Read the full story here.
CBC managers have lost control of CBC
The Jian Ghomeshi and Evan Soloman scandals signal that CBC managers have lost control of CBC. The Corporation has resorted to hiring an outside labour lawyer to investigate what went wrong with management processes, an admission of failure. But the signs of trouble have been there for some time.
For over a decade CBC Presidents, who, along with the CBC Board of Directors, are appointed by the government, have hired outsiders to manage CBC English Radio and TV. Hubert Lacroix, the current President admitted when he accepted the job he knew very little about the CBC. For the President to in turn rely on outsiders to manage the programming services is a departure from a long practice of relying on staff who came up through CBC ranks to become vice-presidents.
Read the full story here.
For over a decade CBC Presidents, who, along with the CBC Board of Directors, are appointed by the government, have hired outsiders to manage CBC English Radio and TV. Hubert Lacroix, the current President admitted when he accepted the job he knew very little about the CBC. For the President to in turn rely on outsiders to manage the programming services is a departure from a long practice of relying on staff who came up through CBC ranks to become vice-presidents.
Read the full story here.
The CBC has been given its money back - now what?
The CBC has been given its money back. That is to say, the immediate infusion of $75 million announced in the Liberals’ budget last month, plus the promise of a $150 million increase each year through 2021.
Various ideas have been floated for how the CBC should use its fresh funding. The Canadian Media Guild wants it to scale back the 1000-1500 job cuts planned over five years, something CBC President Hubert (“No I’m Not Nervous Since the Last Election, Why, What Have You Heard?”) Lacroix has declined to commit to. Heritage Minister Melanie Joly thinks the CBC should be more Vice magazine-like, whatever that means.
To those suggestions let me add another: Bring back Radio Drama. Just don’t call it that.
Read the full story here.
Various ideas have been floated for how the CBC should use its fresh funding. The Canadian Media Guild wants it to scale back the 1000-1500 job cuts planned over five years, something CBC President Hubert (“No I’m Not Nervous Since the Last Election, Why, What Have You Heard?”) Lacroix has declined to commit to. Heritage Minister Melanie Joly thinks the CBC should be more Vice magazine-like, whatever that means.
To those suggestions let me add another: Bring back Radio Drama. Just don’t call it that.
Read the full story here.
Double-dipping CBC boss Hubert Lacroix under fire
For a man who says he is dedicated to transparency, CBC president Hubert Lacroix has a funny way of showing it. Lacroix literally pushed past myself and three CBC reporters waiting to ask him questions as he showed up for an appearance before the Senate transportation and communications committee.
In spite of taking a $1,500-per-month after-tax living allowance to cover his trips to Ottawa, Lacroix also submitted receipts for reimbursement pocketing an extra $29,678 in ineligible expenses.
That’s on top of his salary, which ranges between $358,400 and $421,600 per year plus perks.
Read the full story here.
In spite of taking a $1,500-per-month after-tax living allowance to cover his trips to Ottawa, Lacroix also submitted receipts for reimbursement pocketing an extra $29,678 in ineligible expenses.
That’s on top of his salary, which ranges between $358,400 and $421,600 per year plus perks.
Read the full story here.
CBC Blames Israel For Hezbollah Chief’s Killing
CBC Blames Israel For Hezbollah Chief’s Killing, Retracts Report After HRC Complaint
News that Hezbollah terror chief Mustafa Badreddine had been killed in Syria spurred considerable news coverage, both domestically here in Canada and abroad.
While most media outlets were judicious and did not appropriate blame on anyone as there were no claims of responsibility for the killing or evidence implicating anyone, the CBC presumed that Israel was guilty and claimed outright in an online news report that an Israeli airstrike had killed the Hezbollah commander ...
As we (Honest Reporting Canada) told senior editors at the CBC immediately after this report was published, at the time, Israel did not confirm (or deny) a role in his death which is in line with its standard policy of ambiguity.
As a result of our intervention, the CBC did retract its claim ...
Read the full story at Honest Reporting Canada here.
News that Hezbollah terror chief Mustafa Badreddine had been killed in Syria spurred considerable news coverage, both domestically here in Canada and abroad.
While most media outlets were judicious and did not appropriate blame on anyone as there were no claims of responsibility for the killing or evidence implicating anyone, the CBC presumed that Israel was guilty and claimed outright in an online news report that an Israeli airstrike had killed the Hezbollah commander ...
As we (Honest Reporting Canada) told senior editors at the CBC immediately after this report was published, at the time, Israel did not confirm (or deny) a role in his death which is in line with its standard policy of ambiguity.
As a result of our intervention, the CBC did retract its claim ...
Read the full story at Honest Reporting Canada here.
Secret CBC Documents
The CBC’s board of directors met Tuesday to discuss the sale of the broadcaster’s Montreal headquarters, but according to one MP the details around the property deal and the board’s activities of late have been kept “secret.”
“In the past, the CBC used to publish the minutes and documents from the board of directors meetings once a month,” NDP Heritage critic Pierre Nantel said in the House of Commons Monday. “Since the Liberals came to power, not a single document has been made public.”
And it’s true. Since August 20 2015, the CBC has not published any agendas, minutes or documents prepared for its board of directors, which it normally does as part of its policy of proactive disclosure. Between January and August 2015, documents for seven meetings were published.
Read the full story.
“In the past, the CBC used to publish the minutes and documents from the board of directors meetings once a month,” NDP Heritage critic Pierre Nantel said in the House of Commons Monday. “Since the Liberals came to power, not a single document has been made public.”
And it’s true. Since August 20 2015, the CBC has not published any agendas, minutes or documents prepared for its board of directors, which it normally does as part of its policy of proactive disclosure. Between January and August 2015, documents for seven meetings were published.
Read the full story.
CBC Mission Creep
BBC retreats after charges of “mission creep”. Will CBC take heed?
Canada’s national broadcaster, CBC, is mandated by Parliament to provide radio and TV content across the country but it isn’t enough. They complain about not having the money to do the things required of them, then spend millions on things they’re not asked to do.
Like, for example, become the national podcaster and the national newspaper for all of Canada. They’ve spent years and millions building up a website not just to promote their radio and tv programs or provide a space for people to watch or listen but to produce web only content.
They’ve gone outside their mandate to stream pop music, competing with private radio and pop streaming services while using their taxpayer subsidy. And still they complained about not enough money.
They’ve began hiring an army of reporters to write news stories for the website, again spending a fortune on something no one asked them to do, again complaining they don't have enough money.
Meanwhile in Britain, it’s a different story with the BBC after a politician called them out for competing in areas it shouldn’t. BBC is responding by cutting back their website.
Fortunately, that may be changing. The Globe and the Star have noted CBC's mission creep and the story about the BBC is being noted by some in the legacy media.
Read the full story.
Canada’s national broadcaster, CBC, is mandated by Parliament to provide radio and TV content across the country but it isn’t enough. They complain about not having the money to do the things required of them, then spend millions on things they’re not asked to do.
Like, for example, become the national podcaster and the national newspaper for all of Canada. They’ve spent years and millions building up a website not just to promote their radio and tv programs or provide a space for people to watch or listen but to produce web only content.
They’ve gone outside their mandate to stream pop music, competing with private radio and pop streaming services while using their taxpayer subsidy. And still they complained about not enough money.
They’ve began hiring an army of reporters to write news stories for the website, again spending a fortune on something no one asked them to do, again complaining they don't have enough money.
Meanwhile in Britain, it’s a different story with the BBC after a politician called them out for competing in areas it shouldn’t. BBC is responding by cutting back their website.
Fortunately, that may be changing. The Globe and the Star have noted CBC's mission creep and the story about the BBC is being noted by some in the legacy media.
Read the full story.
CBC gets it wrong
The mistaken myth that just won't die. I hope News Hub Nation readers will help correct it.
Today on NHN we feature a CBC story in which Chris Hall writes about the Trudeau government establishing a review panel that will review yet more aspects of the Trans Mountain pipeline. That itself is an issue, but it’s not the issue I want to get at. Unfortunately, Chris (who is a great guy) gets his facts wrong. He says the following “The previous Conservative government failed in its efforts to get a new pipeline built over its near decade in power. Now, the collapse in oil prices has shaken the economies of both Alberta and Saskatchewan, with both provinces insisting construction of new pipelines to ports and markets overseas is crucial to any economic recovery.”
This is completely wrong, and it is a smear (I believe an unintentional smear) of the record of the previous government. The Conservative government actually approved major pipelines like Alberta Clipper and Keystone, which were built and now operate. Several smaller ones were also built. Oil moved by pipeline out of Canada’s western sedimentary basin doubled between 2005 and 2016, which can be established by researching the National Energy Board website. Hey CBC, please issue a correction and an apology.
Read the full story here.
Today on NHN we feature a CBC story in which Chris Hall writes about the Trudeau government establishing a review panel that will review yet more aspects of the Trans Mountain pipeline. That itself is an issue, but it’s not the issue I want to get at. Unfortunately, Chris (who is a great guy) gets his facts wrong. He says the following “The previous Conservative government failed in its efforts to get a new pipeline built over its near decade in power. Now, the collapse in oil prices has shaken the economies of both Alberta and Saskatchewan, with both provinces insisting construction of new pipelines to ports and markets overseas is crucial to any economic recovery.”
This is completely wrong, and it is a smear (I believe an unintentional smear) of the record of the previous government. The Conservative government actually approved major pipelines like Alberta Clipper and Keystone, which were built and now operate. Several smaller ones were also built. Oil moved by pipeline out of Canada’s western sedimentary basin doubled between 2005 and 2016, which can be established by researching the National Energy Board website. Hey CBC, please issue a correction and an apology.
Read the full story here.
CBC screwed up big and still doesn’t realize it
What a cathartic and rejuvenating process the entire Jian Ghomeshi sexual assault scandal has turned out to be, hasn’t it? Admittedly not so much for the victims, who now would seem to number in the dozens, many of them employees at the CBC.
But putting aside all that unpleasant human devastation, look how positively things have turned out for the CBC and its egotistical, domineering former star. In a statement to staff on Wednesday, the broadcaster’s CEO, Hubert Lacroix and vice-president of “people and culture,” Josée Girard, highlighted how the CBC has grown stronger in the scandal’s wake.
In his court-arranged apology Wednesday, Jian Ghomeshi highlighted his own areas of growth. He’s smarter. He’s improving himself. Like the CBC.
Lawyers have been careful to point out that Ghomeshi’s apology was no formal admission of culpability. The CBC, too, has been careful not to admit any guilt.
Have a look at the CBC’s own internal investigation, the “Rubin report.” It shows Ghomeshi for years engaged in behaviour that was “belittling” and “humiliating;” he would “ignore colleagues” who displeased him; he tasked staff with errands of “a personal nature;” he made “demeaning, inappropriate and unwanted” comments about their appearance; he played “pranks and cruel jokes;” gave a “number of colleagues back and shoulder massages” that were (understandably) “creepy;” he “flirted” with women and “solicited” them for romance; and he “shared details about his own sex life” that coworkers found “too personal, too graphic and generally unsavoury.” Then there are physically aggressive behaviours described by Borel: simulating sex against her; threatening to “hate-fuck” her.
This is the report, mind you, whose rigorousness was widely doubted ...
Outside the CBC the report has even been called a coverup.
Read the full Financial Post story.
But putting aside all that unpleasant human devastation, look how positively things have turned out for the CBC and its egotistical, domineering former star. In a statement to staff on Wednesday, the broadcaster’s CEO, Hubert Lacroix and vice-president of “people and culture,” Josée Girard, highlighted how the CBC has grown stronger in the scandal’s wake.
In his court-arranged apology Wednesday, Jian Ghomeshi highlighted his own areas of growth. He’s smarter. He’s improving himself. Like the CBC.
Lawyers have been careful to point out that Ghomeshi’s apology was no formal admission of culpability. The CBC, too, has been careful not to admit any guilt.
Have a look at the CBC’s own internal investigation, the “Rubin report.” It shows Ghomeshi for years engaged in behaviour that was “belittling” and “humiliating;” he would “ignore colleagues” who displeased him; he tasked staff with errands of “a personal nature;” he made “demeaning, inappropriate and unwanted” comments about their appearance; he played “pranks and cruel jokes;” gave a “number of colleagues back and shoulder massages” that were (understandably) “creepy;” he “flirted” with women and “solicited” them for romance; and he “shared details about his own sex life” that coworkers found “too personal, too graphic and generally unsavoury.” Then there are physically aggressive behaviours described by Borel: simulating sex against her; threatening to “hate-fuck” her.
This is the report, mind you, whose rigorousness was widely doubted ...
Outside the CBC the report has even been called a coverup.
Read the full Financial Post story.
Voice your opinion about CBC
DEADLINE: Thursday, May 20.
The Canadian Culture survey is
your chance to speak your mind and be heard by the Liberal government.
Here are
two videos to help you get started, and a link to the survey itself:
Video: Is CBC News Biased? Should Canadian Taxpayers Fund
the CBC with $1 Billion Every Year?
The Liberal's Biased Culture Survey: Canadian Content in a
Digital World
Survey questionnaire (on the Canadian government website):
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/consultations.html
Don't delay. The survey takes only a few minutes. The
deadline is coming soon.
** Note - this post was sent to us by follower of cbcExposed
Former CBC Radio host Jian Ghomeshi expected to sign peace bond
A complainant in former CBC Radio host Jian Ghomeshi’s previous trial says she is “saddened” to hear he is expected to sign a peace bond to withdraw a charge of sexual assault for his upcoming trial in June.
Linda Redgrave, the first complainant in the sexual assault and overcome resistance by choking trial Ghomeshi was acquitted in earlier this year, said the expectation that he will sign the recognizance agreement Wednesday doesn’t make sense to her.
“I was saddened by it. I was saddened because I feel like the woman isn’t having her day in court and Jian Ghomeshi is not having to answer to the allegations against him,” Redgrave told Global News Tuesday.
“It feels like he’s just getting off and I’m not sure why, I’m not sure what went on, I’m not privy to that, but it just doesn’t feel right.”
Redgrave waived her right to a ban on her identity last month in the previous trial, and said Tuesday she didn’t understand why a peace bond was relevant in a workplace sexual harassment allegation involving a former CBC employee.
“They don’t work together anymore, he is no longer with CBC so to me it says you can harass somebody in the workplace and as long as you promise not to go near them it’s OK,” she said.
Read the full story.
Linda Redgrave, the first complainant in the sexual assault and overcome resistance by choking trial Ghomeshi was acquitted in earlier this year, said the expectation that he will sign the recognizance agreement Wednesday doesn’t make sense to her.
“I was saddened by it. I was saddened because I feel like the woman isn’t having her day in court and Jian Ghomeshi is not having to answer to the allegations against him,” Redgrave told Global News Tuesday.
“It feels like he’s just getting off and I’m not sure why, I’m not sure what went on, I’m not privy to that, but it just doesn’t feel right.”
Redgrave waived her right to a ban on her identity last month in the previous trial, and said Tuesday she didn’t understand why a peace bond was relevant in a workplace sexual harassment allegation involving a former CBC employee.
“They don’t work together anymore, he is no longer with CBC so to me it says you can harass somebody in the workplace and as long as you promise not to go near them it’s OK,” she said.
Read the full story.
CBC receives scathing statement
Kathryn Borel issued a scathing statement on how the CBC handled her complaint of sexual assault against her former boss Jian Ghomeshi saying the message she received from the national broadcaster was that “his whims were more important than my humanity.”
“When I went to the CBC for help, what I received in return was a directive that, yes, he could do this and, yes, it was my job to let him,” Borel told reporters outside a Toronto courthouse.
In a statement from spokesperson Chuck Thompson, the CBC apologized to Borel saying that what happened to her “should never have happened.”
Read the full story here.
“When I went to the CBC for help, what I received in return was a directive that, yes, he could do this and, yes, it was my job to let him,” Borel told reporters outside a Toronto courthouse.
In a statement from spokesperson Chuck Thompson, the CBC apologized to Borel saying that what happened to her “should never have happened.”
Read the full story here.
CBC culture of entitlement
CBC President Hubert Lacroix announced Friday that he quietly paid back $29,678.11 in inappropriate expenses last fall. The admittance came on the weekend, of course, when bad news is vetted to the press by media-savvy types.
Lacroix's annual salary is between $350,000 and $421,000, and includes a $1,500 monthly living allowance, club memberships and a car allowance. He had been wrongly claiming accommodation costs since being appointed in 2008.
Wait a minute: Isn't it the CBC that continually leads the charge against the grave, egregious sins of senators who make bogus expense claims? The CBC has been persistent in pointing out the wrongdoings of senators Mike Duffy, Mac Harb Patrick Brazeau and Pamela Wallin, which they should have done.
These senators, who drew from the public purse, have either resigned or been expelled. Why should it be any different for Lacroix? It's still public money.
When it comes to one of their own - in fact, their president - where are the cries from within the CBC for him to stand down?
Congratulations to whoever leaked the information, but another question must be asked: Within the CBC, who knew what, when, concerning Lacroix, and failed to speak up?
Having their top executive fingered for doing exactly the same thing is not good on any level. It's just another example of the CBC's culture of entitlement that is far removed from reality, and particularly galling for a public broadcaster whose responsibilities include keeping government accountable.
Read the full story here.
Lacroix's annual salary is between $350,000 and $421,000, and includes a $1,500 monthly living allowance, club memberships and a car allowance. He had been wrongly claiming accommodation costs since being appointed in 2008.
Wait a minute: Isn't it the CBC that continually leads the charge against the grave, egregious sins of senators who make bogus expense claims? The CBC has been persistent in pointing out the wrongdoings of senators Mike Duffy, Mac Harb Patrick Brazeau and Pamela Wallin, which they should have done.
These senators, who drew from the public purse, have either resigned or been expelled. Why should it be any different for Lacroix? It's still public money.
When it comes to one of their own - in fact, their president - where are the cries from within the CBC for him to stand down?
Congratulations to whoever leaked the information, but another question must be asked: Within the CBC, who knew what, when, concerning Lacroix, and failed to speak up?
Having their top executive fingered for doing exactly the same thing is not good on any level. It's just another example of the CBC's culture of entitlement that is far removed from reality, and particularly galling for a public broadcaster whose responsibilities include keeping government accountable.
Read the full story here.
CBC's Newest Executive Has Liberal Ties
The CBC is continuing to remake its executive ranks with the appointment of women’s advocate Alex Johnston as its new vice-president of strategy and public affairs, marking the third private-sector appointment to the broadcaster’s eight-member senior executive team in the past year.
Ms. Johnston, who has headed women’s advocacy group Catalyst Canada for the past three years, will be responsible for helping implement the CBC’s latest strategic plan, which emphasizes delivering content to mobile devices such as phones and tablets, cutting physical building space in half and sharply reducing in-house productions in favour of outsourced programming.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Johnston was executive director of policy to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, working alongside then-colleague Gerald Butts, who was Mr. McGuinty’s principal secretary. Mr. Butts later became a top adviser to Mr. Trudeau, and is now his principal secretary.
Ms. Johnston plays down her Ottawa connections, but says she has enough contact with the government to be certain of its commitment to the CBC.
Read the full story.
Ms. Johnston, who has headed women’s advocacy group Catalyst Canada for the past three years, will be responsible for helping implement the CBC’s latest strategic plan, which emphasizes delivering content to mobile devices such as phones and tablets, cutting physical building space in half and sharply reducing in-house productions in favour of outsourced programming.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Johnston was executive director of policy to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, working alongside then-colleague Gerald Butts, who was Mr. McGuinty’s principal secretary. Mr. Butts later became a top adviser to Mr. Trudeau, and is now his principal secretary.
Ms. Johnston plays down her Ottawa connections, but says she has enough contact with the government to be certain of its commitment to the CBC.
Read the full story.
Accountability plan for CBC
The CBC’s president says the public broadcaster will not use its $675-million windfall from Tuesday’s federal budget to restore what it lost through years of cutbacks, and will instead spend on current priorities such as digital platforms, local news bureaus and original programs.
But the CBC alone may not get to decide all priorities. The government has promised to hammer out a five-year “accountability plan” with the broadcaster. Mr. Lacroix said he has “no details on that,” but he expects to sit down with Mélanie Joly, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, to discuss it before long.
Read the full story here.
But the CBC alone may not get to decide all priorities. The government has promised to hammer out a five-year “accountability plan” with the broadcaster. Mr. Lacroix said he has “no details on that,” but he expects to sit down with Mélanie Joly, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, to discuss it before long.
Read the full story here.
Complaint to the CBC Ombudsman regarding Rosemary Barton
(this letter is from the website referenced below - it is NOT from cbcExposed) ...
My complaint to the CBC Ombudsman regarding Rosemary Barton taking a selfie with Trudeau
The complaint I will be filing Monday to the CBC Ombudsman:
In modern social media culture, “selfies” with celebrities have become synonymous with excited affection. They are not mere photographs, but something more intimate, familiar, and fun — a sort of proof that the selfie-taker was not only in close proximity to the celebrity, but that the celebrity was content to get up close and cozy in a way that seems to imply genuine affinity.
For this reason, I believe it was entirely inappropriate for the CBC’s Rosemary Barton to pose for, and then tweet a selfie she took with Prime Minister Trudeau during his recent visit to Washington. I believe the symbolism of this photo creates an appearance of affection between the two that is unprofessional, and calls into question Barton’s ability to provide impartial coverage of the prime minister. I believe it is possible, though often difficult, for a reporter to pose for a photo with a prime minister that is formal and professional in a way that does not imply anything beyond respect for the office. However, I believe Barton failed this test with her misjudgement, and instead created a liability for the CBC in the eyes of its audience.
Read the full story here.
PS ... what are your thoughts on this?
My complaint to the CBC Ombudsman regarding Rosemary Barton taking a selfie with Trudeau
The complaint I will be filing Monday to the CBC Ombudsman:
In modern social media culture, “selfies” with celebrities have become synonymous with excited affection. They are not mere photographs, but something more intimate, familiar, and fun — a sort of proof that the selfie-taker was not only in close proximity to the celebrity, but that the celebrity was content to get up close and cozy in a way that seems to imply genuine affinity.
For this reason, I believe it was entirely inappropriate for the CBC’s Rosemary Barton to pose for, and then tweet a selfie she took with Prime Minister Trudeau during his recent visit to Washington. I believe the symbolism of this photo creates an appearance of affection between the two that is unprofessional, and calls into question Barton’s ability to provide impartial coverage of the prime minister. I believe it is possible, though often difficult, for a reporter to pose for a photo with a prime minister that is formal and professional in a way that does not imply anything beyond respect for the office. However, I believe Barton failed this test with her misjudgement, and instead created a liability for the CBC in the eyes of its audience.
Read the full story here.
PS ... what are your thoughts on this?
Digging for dirt on the CBC
Michel Drapeau considers himself an equal-opportunity provocateur. Since 1994, the lawyer and retired colonel has filed over 5,000 access to information requests to just about every single ministry, agency and authority within the federal government, from the Royal Mint to National Defence, for hundreds of clients—including nearly every federal political party in the country.
Today, Drapeau’s knack for writing access to information requests is testing the exclusion that allows the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to withhold sensitive and potentially compromising information concerning many of its core endeavours, including how its spends much of its $1-billion yearly allotment from the federal government. As well, his probe into the CBC—a “forensic examination,” as the 77-year-old calls it—is apparently fuelling a feud between the public broadcaster and Quebecor, one of the country’s largest media companies and the CBC’s chief French-language competitor.
Since the fall of 2007, Drapeau’s office has filed nearly 800 ATI requests with the CBC, asking for details on everything from its corporate governance structure and the cost of its coverage of the royal visit in 2005 to the amount that Sylvain Lafrance, head of the CBC’s French service, spent on cleaning his private boat. The CBC’s resulting disclosure—notwithstanding the full-page newspaper ads the broadcaster has taken out proclaiming its transparency—has largely been “bulls–t,” according to Drapeau. Hundreds of requests went unanswered, even unacknowledged, for two years, something Drapeau blames on the arrogance of CBC corporate management.
Read the full story in Macleans here.
Today, Drapeau’s knack for writing access to information requests is testing the exclusion that allows the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to withhold sensitive and potentially compromising information concerning many of its core endeavours, including how its spends much of its $1-billion yearly allotment from the federal government. As well, his probe into the CBC—a “forensic examination,” as the 77-year-old calls it—is apparently fuelling a feud between the public broadcaster and Quebecor, one of the country’s largest media companies and the CBC’s chief French-language competitor.
Since the fall of 2007, Drapeau’s office has filed nearly 800 ATI requests with the CBC, asking for details on everything from its corporate governance structure and the cost of its coverage of the royal visit in 2005 to the amount that Sylvain Lafrance, head of the CBC’s French service, spent on cleaning his private boat. The CBC’s resulting disclosure—notwithstanding the full-page newspaper ads the broadcaster has taken out proclaiming its transparency—has largely been “bulls–t,” according to Drapeau. Hundreds of requests went unanswered, even unacknowledged, for two years, something Drapeau blames on the arrogance of CBC corporate management.
Read the full story in Macleans here.
CBC content comes under review
Published on May 1, 2016 from : A reader who considers anonymity a prerequisite for free speech ...
Are you angry about Canada's cultural protectionism? Are you frustrated at being prevented from watching the TV shows and movies that Americans can watch? Do you resent the government-protected monopolies enjoyed by Shaw, Rogers, and Bell, at your expense? Do you hate being forced to pay for CBC content that you are not interested in? If so, then there's good news -- and bad news.
The good news is that the Trudeau Liberals are considering overhauling Canada's cultural protectionism laws. To start, they've launched a survey to allow us to express our opinions about Canadian culture.
The bad news is that the survey is biased in favor of the Liberal Party's own agenda. But please complete the survey anyway. Someone might pay attention. And you won't get another chance to be heard for many years to come. The survey closes on May 20, so time is limited. But before you start, let's walk through the survey, and I'll show you how biased the questions are in this video:
The good news is that the Trudeau Liberals are considering overhauling Canada's cultural protectionism laws. To start, they've launched a survey to allow us to express our opinions about Canadian culture.
The bad news is that the survey is biased in favor of the Liberal Party's own agenda. But please complete the survey anyway. Someone might pay attention. And you won't get another chance to be heard for many years to come. The survey closes on May 20, so time is limited. But before you start, let's walk through the survey, and I'll show you how biased the questions are in this video:
CBC management blurring the lines to an unacceptable degree
CBC Ombudsman:
Using hyperlinks: Journalists beware, it may be online convention but it can be seen as endorsement.
The complainant, Mark Wright, thought CBC in New Brunswick was providing free advertising to one of its regular columnists. The author of World of Work broadcast on radio, and had a column online. The online column linked directly to his company. There’s nothing wrong with using experts, but the concern about appearing to endorse one person or company is well founded.
This is blurring the lines to an unacceptable degree. CBC management might want to think about providing some rotation and other voices on this topic to avoid the perception of endorsement.
Read the full account here.
Using hyperlinks: Journalists beware, it may be online convention but it can be seen as endorsement.
The complainant, Mark Wright, thought CBC in New Brunswick was providing free advertising to one of its regular columnists. The author of World of Work broadcast on radio, and had a column online. The online column linked directly to his company. There’s nothing wrong with using experts, but the concern about appearing to endorse one person or company is well founded.
This is blurring the lines to an unacceptable degree. CBC management might want to think about providing some rotation and other voices on this topic to avoid the perception of endorsement.
Read the full account here.
CBC must forge a five-year accountability plan with government
Lawyers, lobbyists, artists and various stakeholders are all gearing up for the Trudeau government’s ambitious plan to redraft the laws and policies that govern the country’s $48-billion cultural industries.
Most people found out about the sheer breadth of Ottawa’s strategy when Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly said in The Globe and Mail on April 23 that the system is “broken” and “everything is on the table” in the bid to fix it.
Even before Ms. Joly announced the government’s sweeping review, a big shift was under way at the CBC. The latest federal budget pumps $150-million in extra annual funding into the public broadcaster, in support of its shift to a digital-first mentality.
In return for the cash infusion, the CBC must forge a five-year “accountability plan” with government, but it’s not yet clear – even to those in the CBC’s senior ranks – how that process will dovetail with the wider policy overhaul. Ms. Joly has also been tasked with reviewing the process for CBC board appointments.
At the same time, CBC president Hubert Lacroix hasn’t committed to reversing any of the 1,500 or so job cuts the CBC planned, and its expansion to new communities will be through leaner digital-only bureaus.
Read the full story.
Most people found out about the sheer breadth of Ottawa’s strategy when Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly said in The Globe and Mail on April 23 that the system is “broken” and “everything is on the table” in the bid to fix it.
Even before Ms. Joly announced the government’s sweeping review, a big shift was under way at the CBC. The latest federal budget pumps $150-million in extra annual funding into the public broadcaster, in support of its shift to a digital-first mentality.
In return for the cash infusion, the CBC must forge a five-year “accountability plan” with government, but it’s not yet clear – even to those in the CBC’s senior ranks – how that process will dovetail with the wider policy overhaul. Ms. Joly has also been tasked with reviewing the process for CBC board appointments.
At the same time, CBC president Hubert Lacroix hasn’t committed to reversing any of the 1,500 or so job cuts the CBC planned, and its expansion to new communities will be through leaner digital-only bureaus.
Read the full story.
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