As our national public broadcaster, the CBC should presumably reflect modern Canadian values, but when it comes to its coverage of the Calgary Stampede, it chooses to ignore the values of the majority of Canadians who are opposed to rodeos.
Rodeos subject animals to fear, stress and pain just to entertain a crowd. Three-month-old calves running at high speed are roped to a sudden halt, picked up, thrown to the ground and tied up. Steers have their necks twisted until they fall to the ground or are roped by the horns and hind legs, often stretching the animal off its feet. Horses and bulls are tormented by a "flank strap" tied around their hindquarters, which is tightened to make them buck. When it comes to ethically indefensible uses of animals, rodeo is near the top of the list.
Not only are the majority of Canadians opposed to all this, so are virtually all animal welfare agencies, including the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and the national SPCAs of the United States, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. These are the organizations entrusted with preventing cruelty to animals, yet their views are apparently meaningless to the CBC.
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.
New CBC cash will have strings attached
The Liberal government is looking at the British Broadcasting Corporation as it examines the future of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, a newly-released document indicates.
The Canadian Heritage department, whose minister Melanie Joly is responsible for the CBC/Radio-Canada, produced a detailed comparison in April of the two public broadcasters.
The document, obtained under the Access to Information Act, compares the mandate, funding and governance of the CBC and BBC, and looks ahead to coming changes for both institutions.
The March 22 Liberal budget provided $75 million to the CBC for 2016-17, with the amount rising to $150 million annually for the next four years.
But the budget also suggested there will be strings attached to the money, as the minister works with the CBC "to develop a five-year accountability plan." Joly has said she is willing to modify the mandate of the CBC.
Read the full story here.
The Canadian Heritage department, whose minister Melanie Joly is responsible for the CBC/Radio-Canada, produced a detailed comparison in April of the two public broadcasters.
The document, obtained under the Access to Information Act, compares the mandate, funding and governance of the CBC and BBC, and looks ahead to coming changes for both institutions.
The March 22 Liberal budget provided $75 million to the CBC for 2016-17, with the amount rising to $150 million annually for the next four years.
But the budget also suggested there will be strings attached to the money, as the minister works with the CBC "to develop a five-year accountability plan." Joly has said she is willing to modify the mandate of the CBC.
Read the full story here.
Leenen v. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation et al
Leenen v. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation et al.
[Indexed as: Leenen v. Canadian Broadcasting Corp.]
[Indexed as: Leenen v. Canadian Broadcasting Corp.]
48 O.R. (3d) 656
[2000] O.J. No. 1359
Court File No. 99908/96
Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Cunningham J.
April 20, 2000
Torts -- Defamation -- Damages -- General damages -- Documentary television program produced by CBC on alleged dangers of particular drug defaming highly respected research scientist through innuendo that he supported prescribing of killer drugs, that he had conflict of interest, that he was receiving pay-off or kickback from pharmaceutical company and that he acted negligently or dishonestly as chair of ad hoc government advisory committee -- Plaintiff awarded general damages in amount of $400,000.
Torts -- Defamation -- Damages -- Aggravated damages -- Documentary television program produced by CBC on alleged dangers of particular drug defaming highly respected research scientist through innuendo that he supported prescribing of killer drugs, that he had conflict of interest, that he was receiving pay-off or kickback from pharmaceutical company and that he acted negligently or dishonestly as chair of ad hoc government advisory committee -- Plaintiff awarded aggravated damages in amount of $350,000.
Torts -- Defamation -- Damages -- Punitive damages -- Documentary television program produced by CBC on alleged dangers of particular drug defaming highly regarded research scientist through innuendo that he supported prescribing of killer drugs, that he had conflict of interest, that he was receiving pay-off or kickback from pharmaceutical company and that he acted negligently or dishonestly as chair of ad hoc government advisory committee -- Plaintiff awarded punitive damages in amount of $200,000.
Read the full court case here.
CBC Fifth Estate Accused of Sensationalistic Journalism of the Worst Sort
On Feb. 27, 1996, Dr. Martin Myers, a respected cardiologist at Toronto's Sunnybrook hospital, sat down to watch TV. He thought he was going to see a program in which he had taken part about the pharmaceutical industry. As an expert in heart drugs, he had given an interview to explain a complicated medical debate over a drug used to treat high blood pressure.
What he saw was a sensational exposé about killer drugs, kickback schemes and secret files. The tease for the program was a voice clip that said, "People are dying, people who don't need to die are dying."
Dr. Frans Leenen, a top research scientist with Ottawa's famous Heart Institute, also had been interviewed for the program. He was out of the country on Feb. 27, and didn't see it until he returned. He sat down to watch a videotape and learned that he, too, was accused of covering up the killer drugs. To clear their names, the doctors each sued for libel. Dr. Myers asked for an apology plus $25,000. Dr. Leenen asked for an apology plus $10,000. The CBC decided to fight.
A very expensive decision. Last November, a judge awarded Dr. Myers a hefty $200,000, plus interest and costs. Three weeks ago, Dr. Leenen won a breathtaking $950,000, plus interest and costs. His total settlement could amount to more than $2-million, a record for Canadian libel.
Worse still is the sting of the judgments. Both judges ruled that the journalists had twisted the facts and acted with malice. In the Leenen case, Mr. Justice Douglas Cunningham was scorching. "This was sensationalistic journalism of the worst sort and should serve as an embarrassment to this so-called 'flagship' investigative program," he thundered.
Read the full story here.
What he saw was a sensational exposé about killer drugs, kickback schemes and secret files. The tease for the program was a voice clip that said, "People are dying, people who don't need to die are dying."
Dr. Frans Leenen, a top research scientist with Ottawa's famous Heart Institute, also had been interviewed for the program. He was out of the country on Feb. 27, and didn't see it until he returned. He sat down to watch a videotape and learned that he, too, was accused of covering up the killer drugs. To clear their names, the doctors each sued for libel. Dr. Myers asked for an apology plus $25,000. Dr. Leenen asked for an apology plus $10,000. The CBC decided to fight.
A very expensive decision. Last November, a judge awarded Dr. Myers a hefty $200,000, plus interest and costs. Three weeks ago, Dr. Leenen won a breathtaking $950,000, plus interest and costs. His total settlement could amount to more than $2-million, a record for Canadian libel.
Worse still is the sting of the judgments. Both judges ruled that the journalists had twisted the facts and acted with malice. In the Leenen case, Mr. Justice Douglas Cunningham was scorching. "This was sensationalistic journalism of the worst sort and should serve as an embarrassment to this so-called 'flagship' investigative program," he thundered.
Read the full story here.
CBC workplace behaviour of Peter Mansbridge compared to Q host Jian Ghomeshi
Linden MacIntyre has not been barred from appearing on CBC News Network this week despite an internal memo to the contrary.
Jennifer Harwood, managing editor of CBC News Network, sent a memo to some staff late Wednesday stating that interviews with MacIntyre on the network this week have been cancelled.
The memo said the move came about because of MacIntyre’s recent comments to the Globe and Mail comparing the workplace behaviour of Peter Mansbridge to that of ousted Q host Jian Ghomeshi.
In the Globe interview, MacIntyre said Ghomeshi was “allowed to bully and abuse people,” adding that “that’s the way it works, whether it’s Mansbridge, (Peter) Gzowski, whatever. They were not like shrinking violets, either.”
Read the full story here.
Jennifer Harwood, managing editor of CBC News Network, sent a memo to some staff late Wednesday stating that interviews with MacIntyre on the network this week have been cancelled.
The memo said the move came about because of MacIntyre’s recent comments to the Globe and Mail comparing the workplace behaviour of Peter Mansbridge to that of ousted Q host Jian Ghomeshi.
In the Globe interview, MacIntyre said Ghomeshi was “allowed to bully and abuse people,” adding that “that’s the way it works, whether it’s Mansbridge, (Peter) Gzowski, whatever. They were not like shrinking violets, either.”
Read the full story here.
CBC threatens to sue for using footage
On this page you will read how serious media bias is. After being invited to appear before a Parliament committee studying physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia, on December 3, 1992 Cheryl Eckstein received a call from Kelly Chrichton, producer of the well known Canadian television production Fifth Estate.
Ms Chrichton immediately accused Mrs Eckstein of not returning her calls, alleging they totaled 5 in all. Ms Eckstein tried to assure Ms Chrichton that in fact she had only returned from a speaking engagement to her home city that day and had not even had the chance to check her messages. Further along in the conversation, Ms Chrichton warned Eckstein that CBC was going to sue Eckstein for using footage from a CBC program entitled "Selling Murder." The footage was of "Ich Klange An,- I Accuse" Ms Chrichton added in a very stern voice that anything Mrs Eckstein had to say she could say it to CBC's lawyers who would be getting in touch with her shortly.
Upon hanging up, Mrs. Eckstein immediately contacted Member of Parliament, Don Bourdria, who originally contacted Mrs Eckstein to appear before the committee. Eckstein related the conversation and threat to Boudria. Within hours, Mr Boudria called back and told her to watch the Parliamentary channel early next morning. That morning it was decided by Parliament to strike a new committee to investigate this threat.
Read the full story here.
Ms Chrichton immediately accused Mrs Eckstein of not returning her calls, alleging they totaled 5 in all. Ms Eckstein tried to assure Ms Chrichton that in fact she had only returned from a speaking engagement to her home city that day and had not even had the chance to check her messages. Further along in the conversation, Ms Chrichton warned Eckstein that CBC was going to sue Eckstein for using footage from a CBC program entitled "Selling Murder." The footage was of "Ich Klange An,- I Accuse" Ms Chrichton added in a very stern voice that anything Mrs Eckstein had to say she could say it to CBC's lawyers who would be getting in touch with her shortly.
Upon hanging up, Mrs. Eckstein immediately contacted Member of Parliament, Don Bourdria, who originally contacted Mrs Eckstein to appear before the committee. Eckstein related the conversation and threat to Boudria. Within hours, Mr Boudria called back and told her to watch the Parliamentary channel early next morning. That morning it was decided by Parliament to strike a new committee to investigate this threat.
Read the full story here.
CBC strategy includes cutting real estate and shedding jobs
CBC/Radio-Canada has released an ambitious strategy for transforming the public broadcaster into a leaner, more agile, digital-first operation, in the face of media convergence and successive waves of budget cuts.
The strategy, called “A space for us all” broadly proposes prioritising content for mobile consumption across all genres and platforms; preserving the broadcaster’s geographical reach, by making savings in programme length in some cases, such as newscasts; selling off real estate and production facilities; and, inevitably but incrementally – reducing the number of staff.
The broadcaster set out two key targets to reach by 2020: doubling digital reach to 18 million Canadians (more than half the population) using its digital services each month; and that 75 per cent of Canadians would express that CBC or Radio-Canada is very important to them personally.
The broadcaster also plans to cut its real estate ownership by 50 per cent. It has also estimates it will shed 1,000 to 1,500 jobs over five years. About 1,000 employees are eligible for retirement, and the CBC loses about 300 through attrition every year, it said.
Read the full story here.
The strategy, called “A space for us all” broadly proposes prioritising content for mobile consumption across all genres and platforms; preserving the broadcaster’s geographical reach, by making savings in programme length in some cases, such as newscasts; selling off real estate and production facilities; and, inevitably but incrementally – reducing the number of staff.
The broadcaster set out two key targets to reach by 2020: doubling digital reach to 18 million Canadians (more than half the population) using its digital services each month; and that 75 per cent of Canadians would express that CBC or Radio-Canada is very important to them personally.
The broadcaster also plans to cut its real estate ownership by 50 per cent. It has also estimates it will shed 1,000 to 1,500 jobs over five years. About 1,000 employees are eligible for retirement, and the CBC loses about 300 through attrition every year, it said.
Read the full story here.
CBC Execs Say Canadians Would Pay For CBC
The heads of CBC/Radio-Canada have told the country's broadcast regulator that Canadians are ready to pay to get the broadcaster's content even if many consider it an acquired right.
They say the current system has become less profitable because of the multiplication of platforms and new players in the market.
Read the full story here.
PS - Are YOU ready to pay more?
They say the current system has become less profitable because of the multiplication of platforms and new players in the market.
Read the full story here.
PS - Are YOU ready to pay more?
Why didn’t the CBC run any of the federal debates?
That private networks such as CTV and Global should, on their own, pass on a political debate probably shouldn’t shock us. Pre-empting scheduled programs, purchased at high prices from Hollywood, can put a network at a competitive disadvantage, costing viewers and, ultimately, advertising dollars. That’s part of the logic behind the traditional “consortium” model of organizing debates: If all the big networks run them, each serves the public interest without risking its own neck.
The CBC’s position is more complicated. Yes, it competes with the privates. But it also receives an annual federal subsidy meant to insulate it from competitive pressure, so it can serve a public-interest mandate. That mandate, to paraphrase the Broadcasting Act, requires the CBC to “inform and enlighten” with nationwide programming “by the most appropriate and efficient means and as resources become available for the purpose.” Surely, a federal election leaders’ debate—professionally produced and available free during prime time—fits that description.
Read the full story here.
The CBC’s position is more complicated. Yes, it competes with the privates. But it also receives an annual federal subsidy meant to insulate it from competitive pressure, so it can serve a public-interest mandate. That mandate, to paraphrase the Broadcasting Act, requires the CBC to “inform and enlighten” with nationwide programming “by the most appropriate and efficient means and as resources become available for the purpose.” Surely, a federal election leaders’ debate—professionally produced and available free during prime time—fits that description.
Read the full story here.
CBC Ombudsman Declines To Review Conflict-of-Interest Policy Violations
Original date of this blog - January 20th, 2015
On Jan 5, I wrote to Esther Enkin, the CBC’s Ombudsman, to ask that she offer an opinion on 6 violations of CBC News’ policy on paid speaking engagements which took place during the months of November and December 2015, events where Peter Mansbridge, Amanda Lang, Diane Buckner, Diana Swain and Evan Soloman all received personal speaking fees from organizations outside the CBC.
This afternoon, I received a letter from the Ombudsman indicating that she will not review this matter, arguing that it lies outside her mandate.
Read the full story by Frank Koller here.
On Jan 5, I wrote to Esther Enkin, the CBC’s Ombudsman, to ask that she offer an opinion on 6 violations of CBC News’ policy on paid speaking engagements which took place during the months of November and December 2015, events where Peter Mansbridge, Amanda Lang, Diane Buckner, Diana Swain and Evan Soloman all received personal speaking fees from organizations outside the CBC.
This afternoon, I received a letter from the Ombudsman indicating that she will not review this matter, arguing that it lies outside her mandate.
Read the full story by Frank Koller here.
CBC anti-Trump political statement
A loyal reader suggested this story to publish ...
Only Trump could trample Winnipeg kids' vision of Minnesota after Thunder Bay art show
Two young boys from Winnipeg were enchanted by children's artwork of Duluth, Minnesota at an art show in its sister city of Thunder Bay, Ont., but say their delight could be dampened if Donald Trump becomes president.
The show, which runs until Aug. 31 at the Baggage Building Art Centre, features work by Duluth middle school students ranging in age from 11 to 14.
Brothers Yunus and Kaleem Siddiqui, who were visiting Thunder Bay from Winnipeg on Thursday, said the paintings and collages made them think Duluth is "very beautiful."
Asked if the paintings made the brothers want to visit Duluth, they said yes, but with one caveat.
"The one reason I wouldn't want to go to Duluth is if Donald Trump wins the election," said Kaleem, who is nine.
Selected comments (on the CBC website) about this story:
Only Trump could trample Winnipeg kids' vision of Minnesota after Thunder Bay art show
Two young boys from Winnipeg were enchanted by children's artwork of Duluth, Minnesota at an art show in its sister city of Thunder Bay, Ont., but say their delight could be dampened if Donald Trump becomes president.
The show, which runs until Aug. 31 at the Baggage Building Art Centre, features work by Duluth middle school students ranging in age from 11 to 14.
Brothers Yunus and Kaleem Siddiqui, who were visiting Thunder Bay from Winnipeg on Thursday, said the paintings and collages made them think Duluth is "very beautiful."
Asked if the paintings made the brothers want to visit Duluth, they said yes, but with one caveat.
"The one reason I wouldn't want to go to Duluth is if Donald Trump wins the election," said Kaleem, who is nine.
Selected comments (on the CBC website) about this story:
- Reporting a children's art show, twisted into an anti-Trump political statement.
- I hope that Trump sues the CBC for defamation. Honestly, this reporting could not get any worse. The lack of integrity and ethics being shown by the CBC is astounding.
- What a ridiculous article. How he hell would children know anything about American politics? Obviously, someone has put these two up to it.
- New low regarding this article. Using kids to attack Mr. Trump. Disgusting to say the least.
Read the full story and see more comments on the CBC website here.
The Secret CBC Documents
‘Secret’ CBC documents from board of directors meetings haven’t been made public since last August.
“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 here.
“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 here.
CBC president Hubert Lacroix apologizes to CBC staff
CBC president Hubert Lacroix is apologizing to CBC staff and supporters for claiming $30,000 in expenses to which he wasn't entitled.
"I want to apologize to my fellow employees at CBC/Radio-Canada.… We are now entering a period of great challenge, and I want to assure our CBCers and Radio-Canadiens that they can continue to have faith in their leaders. I also want to apologize to all those Canadians who support CBC/Radio-Canada for this careless error."
Read the full story here.
"I want to apologize to my fellow employees at CBC/Radio-Canada.… We are now entering a period of great challenge, and I want to assure our CBCers and Radio-Canadiens that they can continue to have faith in their leaders. I also want to apologize to all those Canadians who support CBC/Radio-Canada for this careless error."
Read the full story here.
CBC refuses CRA request
The Canada Revenue Agency has formally asked the CBC to hand over offshore tax-haven data from the massive Panama Papers leak, but the news organization is refusing.
The commissioner of the agency, Andrew Treusch, sent an email on Friday to the president of the CBC asking for the data, saying the agency wants to begin work immediately on reviewing the information.
CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson said the corporation rebuffed a similar request from the CRA in 2013 for another massive cache of tax-haven data — and will do so again.
Read the full story here.
The commissioner of the agency, Andrew Treusch, sent an email on Friday to the president of the CBC asking for the data, saying the agency wants to begin work immediately on reviewing the information.
CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson said the corporation rebuffed a similar request from the CRA in 2013 for another massive cache of tax-haven data — and will do so again.
Read the full story here.
CBC to publish correction notice to set record straight
A July 21 CBC.ca article entitled “Who is Fethullah Gulen, the man Erdogan blames for coup attempt in Turkey?” had erroneously stated the following: “The cracks in their relationship began to emerge in 2010, when Gulen commented publicly on the Mavi Marmara incident, in which nine Turks were killed when Israeli soldiers stormed a Turkish ship loaded with supplies for Gaza.”
Contrary to what CBC.ca had reported, the anti-Israel flotilla ship known as the Mavi Marmara carried only passengers (and many armed individuals) who in 2010 attempted to break the Israeli naval blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Importantly, there was no humanitarian aid on board the ship.
There was no truth to the CBC’s reporting that the Marmara was a ship which was “loaded with supplies for Gaza.” Naturally, it behooved CBC News to publish a correction notice to set the record straight and HRC is appreciative that CBC has done just that.
Read the full story here.
Contrary to what CBC.ca had reported, the anti-Israel flotilla ship known as the Mavi Marmara carried only passengers (and many armed individuals) who in 2010 attempted to break the Israeli naval blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Importantly, there was no humanitarian aid on board the ship.
There was no truth to the CBC’s reporting that the Marmara was a ship which was “loaded with supplies for Gaza.” Naturally, it behooved CBC News to publish a correction notice to set the record straight and HRC is appreciative that CBC has done just that.
Read the full story here.
CBC Produces Biased Reporting of Palestinian Olympic Swimmer
Complaint Filed: CBC Produces Biased Reporting of Palestinian Olympic Swimmer.
HonestReporting Canada filed a complaint with CBC News editors over recent biased reports produced by CBC Mideast Bureau Chief Derek Stoffel about a Palestinian Olympic swimmer, Mary al-Atrash, as the CBC wrongly implied that she was impeded by Israel from training at an Olympic-sized swimming pool in Jerusalem.
Read the full story here.
HonestReporting Canada filed a complaint with CBC News editors over recent biased reports produced by CBC Mideast Bureau Chief Derek Stoffel about a Palestinian Olympic swimmer, Mary al-Atrash, as the CBC wrongly implied that she was impeded by Israel from training at an Olympic-sized swimming pool in Jerusalem.
Read the full story here.
CBC live coverage of Olympics disappoints many
Many dedicated Pan Am fans are panning CBC's live coverage of the Games.
"I expected a channel with lots of stuff going on. It's ridiculous," Miles Gibson grumbled by phone from Edmonton on Monday. "It's the worst coverage I have ever seen."
Gibson and other sports fans took to Twitter and CBC's own website to express disappointment with live online streams and largely pre-packaged TV broadcasts from venues across southern Ontario.
Read the full story here.
"I expected a channel with lots of stuff going on. It's ridiculous," Miles Gibson grumbled by phone from Edmonton on Monday. "It's the worst coverage I have ever seen."
Gibson and other sports fans took to Twitter and CBC's own website to express disappointment with live online streams and largely pre-packaged TV broadcasts from venues across southern Ontario.
Read the full story here.
Bill Boyd files lawsuit against CBC
Bill Boyd has filed a lawsuit against the CBC and one of its reporters.
It is in regard to the recent stories about a $21 million land deal by the Global Transportation Hub of which Boyd was chair.
The provincial auditor is now investigating the land sale and any other transactions related to it.
The lawsuit argues the stories are misleading and allege the SaskParty MLA acted unlawfully.
Read the full story here.
It is in regard to the recent stories about a $21 million land deal by the Global Transportation Hub of which Boyd was chair.
The provincial auditor is now investigating the land sale and any other transactions related to it.
The lawsuit argues the stories are misleading and allege the SaskParty MLA acted unlawfully.
Read the full story here.
CBC culture of impunity
No matter what else happens, a select few CBC journalists will always be more equal than other CBC journalists.
That’s the conclusion you’re likely to reach after digesting some eye-opening correspondence from late last week between former long-time CBC correspondent Frank Koller, CBC News Editor-in Chief Jennifer McGuire and her boss, Heather Conway, the public broadcaster’s head of English services.
I urge you to read the emails — which Koller shared with me and are now posted on his website — about the CBC’s cockeyed application of its new and supposedly ‘improved’ paid speaking policy … since the other conclusion you’re bound to draw is that McGuire and Conway have learned zilch from the Jian Ghomeshi scandal that continues to reverberate inside the CBC like a dentist’s drill.
Instead, senior CBC mandarins have been busy rewriting history — to absolve themselves of any measure of meaningful accountability and, perhaps more importantly, to save their jobs in the wake of the tsunami that hit CBC last month courtesy of Jesse Brown and the Toronto Star.
They’re loath to admit it, but Ghomeshi was untouchable and, as such, was never confronted, let alone disciplined, despite loud whispers and at least one formal union complaint that he had routinely sexually harassed a female CBC employee.
Read the full story here.
That’s the conclusion you’re likely to reach after digesting some eye-opening correspondence from late last week between former long-time CBC correspondent Frank Koller, CBC News Editor-in Chief Jennifer McGuire and her boss, Heather Conway, the public broadcaster’s head of English services.
I urge you to read the emails — which Koller shared with me and are now posted on his website — about the CBC’s cockeyed application of its new and supposedly ‘improved’ paid speaking policy … since the other conclusion you’re bound to draw is that McGuire and Conway have learned zilch from the Jian Ghomeshi scandal that continues to reverberate inside the CBC like a dentist’s drill.
Instead, senior CBC mandarins have been busy rewriting history — to absolve themselves of any measure of meaningful accountability and, perhaps more importantly, to save their jobs in the wake of the tsunami that hit CBC last month courtesy of Jesse Brown and the Toronto Star.
They’re loath to admit it, but Ghomeshi was untouchable and, as such, was never confronted, let alone disciplined, despite loud whispers and at least one formal union complaint that he had routinely sexually harassed a female CBC employee.
Read the full story here.
CBC brass seems to be confused
The CBC has a lot on its plate these days: funding cuts, ratings slumps and an incorrigible diversity deficit. The CBC struggles to reach younger audiences, and to remain competitive. These scandals in of themselves won't sink the CBC. But they erode confidence in the national institution.
The CBC brass need to pay attention to the general public's growing apathy towards an institution too often in the news for the wrong reasons. Uncomfortable corporate silences. Lingering questions. Unanswered inquiries. CBC fans can't explain this riddle to themselves, much less to lukewarm listeners.
Beyond the noise coming from a constant self-congratulatory echo chamber on CBC streams, the CBC bandwagon might be hollowing out. As the embattled broadcaster lobbies for increased government dollars to "Save the CBC" underneath a cloud of checkered transparency and puzzling rationales, taxpayers' appetite for increased spending dries up. The CBC brass seems to be confused as to who its most valuable assets are: its not the "on-air personalities." It's the fans!
Read the full story here.
The CBC brass need to pay attention to the general public's growing apathy towards an institution too often in the news for the wrong reasons. Uncomfortable corporate silences. Lingering questions. Unanswered inquiries. CBC fans can't explain this riddle to themselves, much less to lukewarm listeners.
Beyond the noise coming from a constant self-congratulatory echo chamber on CBC streams, the CBC bandwagon might be hollowing out. As the embattled broadcaster lobbies for increased government dollars to "Save the CBC" underneath a cloud of checkered transparency and puzzling rationales, taxpayers' appetite for increased spending dries up. The CBC brass seems to be confused as to who its most valuable assets are: its not the "on-air personalities." It's the fans!
Read the full story here.
CBC Radio managers have been close to deceitful
CBC is like a crazy, old aunt, unwilling to accept the reality of her circumstances. In CBC's case it is the reality that its radio audience is comprised mostly of older Canadians. CBC senior managers have recently boasted about the record high audiences of CBC Radio. They gush over CBC Radio's audience share in speeches and public appearances, such as last month's appearance before a Senate Committee, but never acknowledge that loyal, senior citizen listeners are responsible for creating a mathematical illusion. Mark Twain would say there are lies, damn lies.
While CBC Radio is undoubtedly the jewel in CBC's crown and virtually a necessity for a large number of Canadians, managers have been close to deceitful about its audience performance.
Why?
Read the full story here.
While CBC Radio is undoubtedly the jewel in CBC's crown and virtually a necessity for a large number of Canadians, managers have been close to deceitful about its audience performance.
Why?
Read the full story here.
Clash of Funding and Interests at CBC
Known to many as the ‘Mother Corp,’ the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was created in 1936 to model the BBC, the most prestigious broadcaster in the world. CBC was conceived to counter the influx of American programming that had been penetrating the airwaves across the border, to promote Canadian culture and national unity, and to reduce the growing tensions between Anglophone and Francophone citizens.
Today, the CBC operates with a level of complexity that is unprecedented. Across six time zones, it broadcasts 88 radio stations, 27 television stations, three all-digital services, and 16 specialty services in English, French and eight different Aboriginal languages. Being a public-service broadcaster, it seeks to enlighten, inform, and entertain Canadians from coast to coast, giving our culture a voice and providing us with a unique sense of Canada’s place in the world.
Unfortunately, the CBC’s ability to fulfill its mandate has been beclouded by government and corporate interests, the main obstacle being one of funding. CBC’s current annual budget is just over $1.5 billion. One billion of this is garnered from public appropriation and funding from the federal government, while the rest is brought in by commercial revenues.
Read the full story here.
Today, the CBC operates with a level of complexity that is unprecedented. Across six time zones, it broadcasts 88 radio stations, 27 television stations, three all-digital services, and 16 specialty services in English, French and eight different Aboriginal languages. Being a public-service broadcaster, it seeks to enlighten, inform, and entertain Canadians from coast to coast, giving our culture a voice and providing us with a unique sense of Canada’s place in the world.
Unfortunately, the CBC’s ability to fulfill its mandate has been beclouded by government and corporate interests, the main obstacle being one of funding. CBC’s current annual budget is just over $1.5 billion. One billion of this is garnered from public appropriation and funding from the federal government, while the rest is brought in by commercial revenues.
Read the full story here.
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