A national public broadcaster can tie a country together and can shape a shared experience for all. In a sense a national broadcaster is an element of nation building.
And CBC at its best is very fine indeed.
When careful, thoughtful and Canadian the CBC is a good idea.
But the execution recently has become almost farcical; it's as if the CBC is begging to be eliminated by an outraged right wing government.
Look at CBC 2 in the Toronto area -- what was even recently a high quality vehicle for Canadian music and musicians has become a poor imitation of a Lite-FM station. Why do taxpayers need to support something that already exists commercially?
Now the Palin story. Honestly, it is reasonable to criticise Palin as a choice for American Vice President (but remember her experience is similar to Teddy Roosevelt's). But the talk of her 'porn actress' looks? This is nasty sexism dressed up as leftish commentary.
If the CBC is to be a part of Canada, as it should be, it needs to have a ground up rebuild. Tough but respectful commentary yes; gutter snipe insults no.
CBC apologizes for column maligning Sarah Palin
The Canadian Press
TORONTO —
The CBC has issued an apology and retraction for posting a controversial online column by freelancer Heather Mallick about Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin earlier this month.
Following 300-plus complaints from readers, and attacks from Canadian and American media organizations, including Fox News, publisher John Cruickshank said the public broadcaster had erred in its editorial judgment and should never had been posted.
In an online statement, Mr. Cruickshank said reaction to the column has caused the CBC to institute new editing procedures that will ensure inappropriate work won't appear.
"We are open to contentious reasoned argument but not to partisan attack," he said in a statement posted on the broadcaster's website.
Despite the vitriolic response to Ms. Mallick's Sept. 5 piece, "A Mighty Wind Blows Through the Republican Convention," the CBC had initially stood by the article and said it wouldn't remove it from its website.In the article, Ms. Mallick said Ms. Palin appeals to "the white trash vote" with her "toned-down version of the porn actress look."
James Morton
1100 - 5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
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6 comments:
They only issued this because they are walking on think ICE with the Conservatives, and many conservatitve taxpayers like myself.
I question if they are sorry at all.
Looks like the postings at liblogs only seem to be talking about Harper in the headlines and blurbs (2 fold more the Dion today, and 5 fold more then Dion a few days back)
Seems like liberals are in the business of telling us why WE SHOULDN'T be voting for the seasoned leader, and not why WE SHOULD be voting for their own leader.
I agree the cbc's treament of palin has been reprehensible, not just malik's piece either. The National did a piece where the maternity of Governor Palin's child was questioned. This is the beasest of tabloid garbage. This is the CBC's leading anchor and leading washington correspondent having this conversation.
I also do not thinnk you can blame the Conservatives for this. This is just good old hatred and mysoginy with a little mob mentality and gosip columist thrown in.
It has been disgraceful. I turned the National off that night and have done so a few other times for their base and degrading coverage of the presidential race. it has nothing to do with funding.
Sorry, the CBC has reported basest of taboid rumours. It can be said again anyways.
When the right wing spins an inexperienced dangerous ideologue as ready to be President - the world ends up with a GW Bush in power - and look what that did for us all.
Given the current spin about this woman - and the consequences of it working (WW3 anyone?), Mallicks' Pailin commentary was fair game. There is a lot more at stake than an obscure hockey game or a bridge to nowhere.
I have watched the CBC turn into an institution that supported every Marxist/Socialist/Fascist nutbar on the planet over the last couple of decades.
The mandate for which they were created no longer exists in this country.
It is time return to the hard-working Canadians the BILLION plus dollars that are wasted anually on the CBC.
The only thing on the CBC I ever watch is hockey nite . . . and now that they have lost the music . . . I may not even do that.
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