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Do not fill this in! == Controversies == === Allegations of bias === {{see also|CBC News#Bias allegations}} Several outlets and politicians over many years have accused [[CBC News]] of bias.<ref name="Gutstein-CBC-Hit-Piece-on-Medicare">{{cite web |url=https://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2006/01/06/CBCHitPiece/ |last=Gutstein |first=Donald |title=Mediacheck: Behind the CBC's Hit Piece on Medicare |publisher=The Tyee |date=January 6, 2006 |access-date=January 3, 2020 |quote=This distorted and biased attack on our public health care system aired twice on the CBC in December, during the second week of the federal election. |archive-date=April 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430204851/http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2006/01/06/CBCHitPiece/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NP_Column">{{cite news |title=CBC: Not the public's broadcaster after all |url=http://business.financialpost.com/fp-comment/cbc-not-the-publics-broadcaster-after-all |work=National Post |date=December 11, 2014 |access-date=March 15, 2017 |archive-date=May 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505191857/http://business.financialpost.com/fp-comment/cbc-not-the-publics-broadcaster-after-all |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NP_Bias">{{cite news|title=CBC tries to hide its happy face as Liberals and NDP vow to pump up funding for public broadcaster |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/cbc-tries-to-hide-its-happy-face-as-liberals-and-ndp-vow-to-pump-up-funding-for-public-broadcaster |work=National Post |date=September 23, 2015 |access-date=May 26, 2015 |first=Tristan |last=Hopper}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/amiel-why-the-cbc-needs-new-blood/|title=Amiel: Why the CBC needs new blood|last=Amiel|first=Barbara|work=Maclean's|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=December 29, 2019|archive-date=December 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229091650/https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/amiel-why-the-cbc-needs-new-blood/|url-status=live}}</ref> Surveys have found the Canadian public perceives a centre-left/Liberal Party bias in CBC News coverage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://policyoptions.irpp.org/fr/magazines/kyoto/is-cbc-really-biased/ |title=Is CBC Really Biased? |date=December 1, 2002 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906204607/https://policyoptions.irpp.org/fr/magazines/kyoto/is-cbc-really-biased/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/public-policy-2002/cbc-television-news-has-a-bias-problem/ |title=CBC Television News has a bias problem |date=July 1, 2002 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906204606/https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/public-policy-2002/cbc-television-news-has-a-bias-problem/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news2/pdf/public-opinionreporteng-oct1_10.pdf |title=The News Fairness and Balance Report |date=September 2010 |access-date=September 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506130901/https://www.cbc.ca/news2/pdf/public-opinionreporteng-oct1_10.pdf |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://abacusdata.ca/canadian-news-media-and-fake-news-under-a-microscope/ |title=Canadian News Media And "Fake News" Under A Microscope |date=April 29, 2017 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906204231/https://abacusdata.ca/canadian-news-media-and-fake-news-under-a-microscope/ |url-status=live }}{{registration required}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ipolitics.ca/2017/04/29/survey-finds-24-million-canadians-say-theyve-read-fake-news-stories/ |title=Survey suggests large number of Canadians have likely read 'fake' news stories |date=April 29, 2017 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |archive-date=September 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907172541/https://ipolitics.ca/2017/04/29/survey-finds-24-million-canadians-say-theyve-read-fake-news-stories/ |url-status=live }}</ref> === Falun Gong and ''Beyond the Red Wall'' === In November 2007, the CBC replaced its documentary about [[persecution of Falun Gong]] members in China, '''''Beyond the Red Wall: Persecution of Falun Gong''''',<ref name=":3" /> at the last minute with a rerun episode regarding President [[Pervez Musharraf]] in Pakistan. The broadcaster had said to the press that "the crisis in Pakistan was considered more urgent and much more newsworthy", but sources from within the network itself had stated that the Chinese government had called the [[Canadian Embassy]] and demanded repeatedly that the program be taken off the air. The documentary in question was to air on Tuesday, November 6, 2007, on [[CBC Newsworld]], but was replaced.<ref> {{cite news |author= Star News Services |title= Falun Gong documentary yanked by CBC |url= http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=b4e0f259-2977-44d0-be62-39ef42bc79dc |format= Newspaper |work= [[Windsor Star]] |publisher= [[Canwest Global]] (Windsor Star's Star News Services) |pages= B1 |date= November 8, 2007 |access-date= November 8, 2007 |quote= "CBC pulls documentary on Falun Gong at demands of Chinese Government" |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081202120206/http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=b4e0f259-2977-44d0-be62-39ef42bc79dc |url-status=dead |archive-date= December 2, 2008 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> The documentary aired two weeks later on November 20, 2007,<ref name=":3">[http://www.cbc.ca/thelens/program_201107.html Beyond the Red Wall: The Persecution of Falun Gong], ''Cbc.ca'', November 20, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119180418/http://www.cbc.ca/thelens/program_201107.html |date=November 19, 2011 }}</ref> after editing.<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/277988 CBC still tinkering with Falun Gong documentary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020194601/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/277988 |date=October 20, 2012 }}, ''Toronto Star'', November 20, 2007.</ref> === {{Anchor|Catherine Tait comparing Netflix's influence to colonialism}}CBC President's comparison of Netflix's influence to colonialism === In January 2019 CBC President [[Catherine Tait]] came under fire for comparing [[Netflix]] to colonial [[imperialism]] in [[Western imperialism in Asia|India]] and parts of [[Imperialism in Africa|Africa]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/cbc-president-tait-warns-of-cultural-imperialism-danger-from-netflix| title=CBC president Catherine Tait compares Netflix to colonialism of the British and French empires| website=National Post| date=January 31, 2019}}</ref> Tait did not offer an apology and [[Heather Mallick]] defended her comparison.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2019/02/04/cbc-chief-stands-up-to-us-cultural-swamping.html| title=CBC chief stands up to U.S. cultural swamping| website=Toronto Star| date=February 4, 2019| access-date=April 11, 2019| archive-date=March 25, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325060827/https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2019/02/04/cbc-chief-stands-up-to-us-cultural-swamping.html| url-status=live}}</ref> Tait's comments made American headlines with J.J. McCullough of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' suggesting that "the state-sponsored" corporation shielded her from criticism and that the Canadian industry "was built in part as a bulwark against American influence".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/02/07/no-popularity-american-tv-canada-is-not-imperialism/| title=No, the popularity of American TV in Canada is not 'imperialism'| first=J.J.| last=McCullough| newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]| date=February 7, 2019| access-date=April 11, 2019| archive-date=March 22, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322190659/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/02/07/no-popularity-american-tv-canada-is-not-imperialism/| url-status=live}}</ref> Canadian TV critic [[John Doyle (critic)|John Doyle]], who has long criticized what he perceives as the low standards of Canadian programming, claimed that CBC had a problem of complacency rather than imperialism.<ref>{{cite web |last=Doyle |first=John |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-cbcs-problem-is-complacency-not-netflix-imperialism/ |title=CBC's problem is complacency not imperialism |website=The Globe and Mail |date=February 6, 2019 |access-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-date=July 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727070224/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-cbcs-problem-is-complacency-not-netflix-imperialism/ |url-status=live }}</ref> === Closed captioning === [[CBC Television]] was an early leader in broadcasting programming with [[closed captioning]] for the [[Hearing-impaired|hearing impaired]], airing its first captioned programming in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cbc.radio-canada.ca/history/1980s.shtml |title=CBC/RadioCanada–History–1980s |publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada |access-date=February 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628204745/http://cbc.radio-canada.ca/history/1980s.shtml |archive-date=June 28, 2010 }}</ref> Captioned programming in Canada began with the airing of ''[[Clown White]]'' in English-language and French-language versions on CBC Television and Radio-Canada, respectively. Most sources list that event as occurring in 1981,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://collections.ic.gc.ca/cbc/radiotv/decades/1980/br.html |title=Welcome to.../Bienvenue à |publisher=Collections.ic.gc.ca |date=May 1, 2001 |access-date=February 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511123721/http://collections.ic.gc.ca/cbc/radiotv/decades/1980/br.html |archive-date=May 11, 2011 }}</ref> while others list the year as 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cab-acr.ca/english/social/captioning/captioning.pdf#search=%22%22clown%20white%22%20captioning%22|title=Closed captioning standards and protocol for Canadian English language television programming services|publisher=Canadian Association of Broadcasters|year=2008|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031004004820/http://www.cab-acr.ca/english/social/captioning/captioning.pdf|archive-date=October 4, 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1997, Henry Vlug, a deaf lawyer in Vancouver, filed a complaint with the [[Canadian Human Rights Commission]] (CHRC) alleging that an absence of captioning on some programming on CBC Television and [[Newsworld]] infringed on his rights as a person with a disability. A ruling in 2000 by the [[Canadian Human Rights Tribunal]], which later heard the case, sided with Vlug and found that an absence of captioning constituted [[disability discrimination|discrimination on the basis of disability]]. The Tribunal ordered CBC Television and Newsworld to caption the entirety of their broadcast days, "including television shows, commercials, promos, and unscheduled news flashes, from sign-on until sign off".<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Vlug v. CBC |url=http://www.chrt-tcdp.gc.ca/search/view_html.asp?doid=271&lg=_e&isruling=0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227033044/http://www.chrt-tcdp.gc.ca/search/view_html.asp?doid=271&lg=_e&isruling=0 |archive-date=February 27, 2012 |access-date=February 19, 2011 |publisher=Chrt-tcdp.gc.ca}}</ref> The ruling recognized that "there will inevitably be glitches with respect to the delivery of captioning", but that "the rule should be full captioning". In a negotiated settlement to avoid appealing the ruling to the [[Federal Court of Canada]], the CBC agreed to commence 100% captioning on CBC Television and Newsworld beginning November 1, 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/client/site/includes/print.asp?lang=en&print=1&url=%2Fmedia%5Froom%2Fnews%5Freleases%2Den%2Easp&id=247 |title=Canadian Human Rights Commission :: Resources :: News Room :: News Releases |publisher=Chrc-ccdp.ca |access-date=February 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201203905/http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/client/site/includes/print.asp?lang=en&print=1&url=%2Fmedia_room%2Fnews_releases-en.asp&id=247 |archive-date=December 1, 2008 }}</ref> CBC Television and Newsworld are the only broadcasters in the world required to caption the entire broadcast day. However, published evidence asserts that CBC is not providing the 100% captioning ordered by the Tribunal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://joeclark.org/access/captioning/CBC/background/|title=Backgroung: CBC captioning, errors and omissions|first=Joe|last=Clark|date=August 3, 2006|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023055/http://joeclark.org/access/captioning/CBC/background/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2004, Canadian retired senator [[Jean-Robert Gauthier]], a hard-of-hearing person, filed a complaint with the CHRC against Radio-Canada concerning captioning, particularly the absence of real-time captioning on newscasts and other live programming. As part of the settlement process, Radio-Canada agreed to submit a report on the state of captioning, especially real-time captioning, on Radio-Canada and [[Réseau de l'information|RDI]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/client/site/includes/print.asp?lang=en&print=1&url=%2Fwhats%5Fnew%2Fdefault%2Den%2Easp&id=289 |title=Canadian Human Rights Commission :: Resources :: What's New |publisher=Chrc-ccdp.ca |access-date=February 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201203933/http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/client/site/includes/print.asp?lang=en&print=1&url=%2Fwhats_new%2Fdefault-en.asp&id=289 |archive-date=December 1, 2008 }}</ref> The report, which was the subject of some criticism, proposed an arrangement with [[La Cité collégiale|Cité Collégiale]], a college in Ottawa, to train more French-language real-time captioners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/client/site/includes/print.asp?lang=en&print=1&url=%2Fmedia%5Froom%2Ftoc%5Ftdm%2Den%2Easp |title=Canadian Human Rights Commission :: Resources :: News Room :: Télévision de Radio-Canada's Working Committee |publisher=Chrc-ccdp.ca |access-date=February 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902210740/http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/client/site/includes/print.asp?lang=en&print=1&url=%2Fmedia_room%2Ftoc_tdm-en.asp |archive-date=September 2, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://joeclark.org/access/captioning/CBC/background/Gauthier/ |title=Response to report on captioning on French CBC channels (Joe Clark: Media Access) |publisher=Joe Clark |access-date=February 19, 2011 |archive-date=December 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219081558/http://joeclark.org/access/captioning/CBC/background/Gauthier/ |url-status=live }}</ref> English-language [[List of Canadian specialty services|specialty networks]] owned or co-owned by CBC, including [[Documentary (TV channel)|documentary]], have the lower captioning requirements typical of larger Canadian broadcasters (90% of the broadcast day by the end of both networks' licence terms).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Decision CRTC 2000-453|url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/eng/Decisions/2000/DB2000-453.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202123122/http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/eng/Decisions/2000/DB2000-453.htm|archive-date=December 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Decision CRTC 2000-455|url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2000/DB2000-455.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202123117/http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2000/DB2000-455.htm|archive-date=December 2, 2008}}</ref> [[ARTV]], the French-language specialty network co-owned by CBC, has a minimum captioning requirement of 53%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2000/DB2000-386.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202123112/http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2000/DB2000-386.htm|url-status=dead|title=Decision CRTC 2000-386|archive-date=December 2, 2008}}</ref> === 2013 Radio-Canada rebranding === On June 5, 2013, the CBC announced that it would be phasing out the Radio-Canada brand from its French-language broadcast properties, and unifying them under names prefixed with "''Ici''" ('this is' or literally 'here'). For instance, the CBC planned to re-brand ''[[Télévision de Radio-Canada]]'' as "''Ici Télé''", ''[[Première Chaîne]]'' as "''Ici Première''", and move its French-language website from ''[[Radio-Canada.ca]]'' to ''ici.ca''. Radio-Canada vice-president [[Louis Lalande]] stated that the new name complemented its multi-platform operations, while also serving as an homage to the broadcaster's historic [[station identification]] slogan since the 1930s, "''ici Radio-Canada''" ('this is Radio-Canada').<ref name="cp-frenchnewname">{{cite web |title=French CBC announces new name: 'Radio' and 'Canada' are out |url=https://montrealgazette.com/life/French+announces+name+Radio+Canada/8482769/story.html |agency=The Canadian Press |access-date=September 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821081845/http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/French%2Bannounces%2Bname%2BRadio%2BCanada/8482769/story.html |archive-date=August 21, 2013 }}</ref> [[File:ICI Radio-Canada Première.svg|thumb|Logo for [[Ici Radio-Canada Première]], the corporation's French-language radio network]] The announcement was criticized by politicians (such as [[Minister of Canadian Heritage]] [[James Moore (Canadian politician)|James Moore]]), who felt that the new "Ici" brand was too confusing, and that the CBC was diminishing the value of the Radio-Canada name through its plans to downplay it. The re-branding was also criticized for being unnecessary spending, reportedly costing $400,000, in the midst of budget cuts at the CBC.<ref>{{cite news|last=Faguy|first=Steve|title=Radio-Canada's 'Ici' rebranding spells trouble for businessman|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Radio+Canada+rebranding+spells+trouble+businessman/8506057/story.html|access-date=June 11, 2013|newspaper=The Gazette|date=June 10, 2013|archive-date=June 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615233325/http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Radio+Canada+rebranding+spells+trouble+businessman/8506057/story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 10, in response to the criticism, [[Hubert Lacroix]] apologized for the decision and announced that the new brands for its main radio and television networks would be revised to restore the Radio-Canada name alongside Ici, such as "''Ici Radio-Canada Première''".<ref name="cbc-ici">{{cite news|title=Radio-Canada retreats on rebranding company as ICI|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/radio-canada-retreats-on-rebranding-company-as-ici-1.1336870|publisher=CBC News|access-date=January 3, 2020|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930185516/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/radio-canada-retreats-on-rebranding-company-as-ici-1.1336870|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gandm-icidropped">{{cite news|title=Radio-Canada president apologizes for 'Ici' rebranding plan|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/radio-canada-apologizes-for-ici-rebranding-plan/article12463433/|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=June 11, 2013|location=Toronto|date=June 10, 2013|archive-date=June 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611013448/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/radio-canada-apologizes-for-ici-rebranding-plan/article12463433/|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2013, the CBC also filed a [[trademark]] lawsuit against Sam Norouzi, founder of [[CFHD-DT]]—a new multicultural station in Montreal—seeking to have Norouzi's registration on the name "ICI" (as an abbreviation of "International Channel/Canal International") cancelled because it was too similar to its own "Ici"-related trademarks. Despite Norouzi's trademark having been registered prior to the registration of CBC's, the corporation argued that Norouzi's application contained incorrect information surrounding his first use of the name in commerce, and also asserted the long-time use of "Ici Radio-Canada" as part of its imaging. Norouzi stated that he planned to fight the CBC in court.<ref name="gazette-icitrademark">{{cite web|title=Radio-Canada's 'Ici' rebranding spells trouble for businessman|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Radio+Canada+rebranding+spells+trouble+businessman/8506057/story.html|work=The Gazette|publisher=Postmedia Network|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-date=June 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615233325/http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Radio+Canada+rebranding+spells+trouble+businessman/8506057/story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Austen|first=Ian|date=June 11, 2013|title=Quick Reversal for Plan to Rename Canadian Broadcaster|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/business/media/quick-reversal-for-plan-to-rename-canadian-broadcaster.html|access-date=April 30, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430024557/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/11/business/media/quick-reversal-for-plan-to-rename-canadian-broadcaster.html|url-status=live}}</ref> === Suspension of local newscasts during the COVID-19 pandemic === On March 18, 2020, in the wake of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Canada|COVID-19 pandemic]], CBC News suspended all of its English-language [[CBC Television local newscasts|local newscasts]] (excluding those carried by [[CBC North]], which include an English-language newscast and a second in [[Inuktitut]]), replacing them in their time slots with [[simulcast]]s of [[CBC News Network]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tricitynews.com/cbc-temporarily-scraps-local-tv-newscasts-except-for-the-north-due-to-covid-19-1.24100574|title=CBC temporarily scraps local TV newscasts, except for the North, due to COVID-19|last=Ahearn|first=Victoria|website=Tri-City News|access-date=March 19, 2020|archive-date=March 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319045715/https://www.tricitynews.com/cbc-temporarily-scraps-local-tv-newscasts-except-for-the-north-due-to-covid-19-1.24100574|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://blog.fagstein.com/2020/03/18/cbc-suspends-local-tv-newscasts/|title=CBC suspends local TV newscasts amid COVID-19 outbreak|last=Faguy|first=Steve|date=March 18, 2020 |access-date=March 21, 2020|archive-date=March 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321052634/https://blog.fagstein.com/2020/03/18/cbc-suspends-local-tv-newscasts/|url-status=live}}</ref> The CBC stated that this was done in order to pool its local resources to CBC News Network as a "core news offering".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/cbc-tvnews-changes-coronavirus-1.5501512|title=CBC temporarily replaces local evening TV news amid coronavirus pandemic|date=March 18, 2020|publisher=CBC News|access-date=March 18, 2020|archive-date=March 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319064203/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/cbc-tvnews-changes-coronavirus-1.5501512|url-status=live}}</ref> An employee memo suggested that a lack of staff at the [[Canadian Broadcasting Centre]] and "much stricter newsgathering protocols" were another factor in the decision.<ref name=":0" /> CBC News editor-in-chief Brodie Fenlon similarly stated that the broadcaster had decided to consolidate news production because their outbreak had "place[d] incredible demands on our staff and our infrastructure", and not all jobs associated with television production were capable of being done remotely.<ref name=":0" /> These consolidations only affect news programming on CBC Television; [[CBC Radio]] and [[Ici Radio-Canada Télé]] have continued to carry local content.<ref name=":0" /> The CBC's decision faced criticism for its lack of clear justification, and resulting reduction of local news coverage during a major news event—especially in markets where CBC's local newscasts are the only news programming specific to the region (such as [[Prince Edward Island]], which resulted in criticism of the move by [[Premier of Prince Edward Island|Premier]] [[Dennis King (politician)|Dennis King]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/local/pei-premier-incredibly-disappointed-in-suspension-of-local-cbc-news-programming-426065/|title=P.E.I. premier 'incredibly disappointed' in suspension of local CBC news programming|website=The Guardian|access-date=March 19, 2020|archive-date=March 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319045741/https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/local/pei-premier-incredibly-disappointed-in-suspension-of-local-cbc-news-programming-426065/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Canadian Media Guild]] stated that the decision "flies in the face of past experience which has proven time and again that in times of significant events, Canadians trust and rely on CBC news coverage, particularly for its widespread coverage of regional and local impact, something no other Canadian network can match".<ref name=":0" /> ''[[Montreal Gazette]]'' media writer Steve Faguy questioned whether this change was in compliance with the individual stations' CRTC licences, as all CBC stations are required to produce local newscasts daily, and a minimum amount of local programming per-week.<ref name=":0" /> In an editorial for ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', former CTV News president [[Robert Hurst (broadcaster)|Robert Hurst]] stated that it was unusual for a journalistic operation to cut back on its operations during a crisis, and suggested that decision was the culmination of "decades of CBC News mismanagement" and low ratings in comparison to competitors (such as CTV, Global, and Citytv) in most markets.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-cbcs-closure-of-local-newscasts-amid-the-coronavirus-crisis-is-a/|title=CBC's closure of local newscasts amid the coronavirus crisis is a shame|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=March 23, 2020|archive-date=March 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323001842/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-cbcs-closure-of-local-newscasts-amid-the-coronavirus-crisis-is-a/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''Toronto Star'' similarly wrote that the CBC had "decided to bail on local communities across the country".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2020/03/19/cbc-shouldnt-shut-local-news-shows-in-a-time-of-crisis.html|title=CBC shouldn't shut local news shows in a time of crisis|date=March 19, 2020|website=Toronto Star|access-date=March 23, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320064426/https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2020/03/19/cbc-shouldnt-shut-local-news-shows-in-a-time-of-crisis.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 24, the CBC announced that it would introduce "an expanded 30-minute local news segment on CBC News Network" beginning March 25, and would "make every effort to have all of the dedicated local shows back up on the main network".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-march-24-2020-1.5507880/we-totally-understand-the-frustration-cbc-president-defends-local-tv-news-suspension-amid-pandemic-1.5508146|title='We totally understand the frustration': CBC president defends local TV news suspension amid pandemic|date=March 24, 2020|website=CBC Radio|access-date=March 24, 2020|archive-date=March 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325160544/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-march-24-2020-1.5507880/we-totally-understand-the-frustration-cbc-president-defends-local-tv-news-suspension-amid-pandemic-1.5508146|url-status=live}}</ref> === CBC Tandem and branded content === Since 2016, the CBC has utilized [[branded content]], publishing advertisements that are designed to look, read or sound similarly to news produced by the CBC itself.<ref name="CBC News">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/crtc-cbc-tandem-hearing-branded-content-1.5875081 |title=CRTC peppers CBC with questions about plans for controversial branded content |work=CBC News |date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=September 4, 2021 |archive-date=September 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905032448/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/crtc-cbc-tandem-hearing-branded-content-1.5875081 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020 the CBC formally launched a division called Tandem that focused its branded content marketing efforts, promising corporate clients they can "leverage" the CBC's reputation by aligning their message with the "trust Canadians have in our brand". Over 500 current and former employees called on CBC management to end Tandem, saying "in an era of 'fake news', where misinformation is already rife, it undermines trust ... what's worse, it uses [Canadians'] tax dollars to do it."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.stoppaidcontentoncbc.ca/open-letter |title=An Open Letter to Canadians from CBC Journalists. |access-date=September 4, 2021 |archive-date=September 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905032448/https://www.stoppaidcontentoncbc.ca/open-letter |url-status=dead }}</ref> In November 2020 former employees requested that the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] investigate Tandem as part of the public broadcaster's upcoming licence renewal, concerned the content blurs the lines between advertising and news, adding that "Canadians have a right to a national public broadcaster that puts their news and information needs ahead of the desires of corporate clients."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/12/09/on-air-personalities-join-campaign-against-cbcs-paid-content-division-tandem/ |title=On-air personalities join campaign against CBC's paid content division Tandem |work=City News |date=December 9, 2020 |access-date=September 4, 2021 |archive-date=September 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905032447/https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/12/09/on-air-personalities-join-campaign-against-cbcs-paid-content-division-tandem/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Private sector media criticized the CBC's ability to dominate the Canadian advertising market, using taxpayer-funded subsidies to unfairly compete with local newspapers and broadcasters, driving them out of business.<ref name="CRTC 2022"/> CBC President and CEO Catherine Tait states that the CBC has since put "guardrails" in place that will ensure there is no confusion between CBC journalism and commercial advertising.<ref name="CBC News"/> The CRTC integrated its investigation of Tandem into its hearings on the renewal of CBC's federal broadcast licences, ultimately renewing the CBC's licence from 2022 to 2027 and approving the Tandem program. The CRTC required that the CBC must establish, maintain, and publicize their guidelines on branded content as well as measure whether branded content is confusing to Canadians.<ref name="CRTC 2022">{{Cite web|title=Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2022-165 and Broadcasting Orders CRTC 2022-166 and 2022-167|date=June 22, 2022|website=Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2022/2022-165.htm|access-date=July 6, 2022|archive-date=July 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703172031/https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2022/2022-165.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The CRTC decision has been criticized as allowing the CBC to disregard its mandate as a public broadcaster, transforming into a "publicly funded commercial broadcaster".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-cbc-doesnt-want-to-be-a-cherished-public-broadcaster/ |title=CBC doesn't want to be a cherished public broadcaster |work=The Globe and Mail |date=June 28, 2022 |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706095503/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-cbc-doesnt-want-to-be-a-cherished-public-broadcaster/ |url-status=live }}</ref> === Kenneth Muzik verdict === On December 15, 2021, Manitoba Bench Justice Herbert Rempel ordered the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to pay investment advisor Kenneth Wayne Muzik nearly $1.7 million in damages for a story it had aired in June 2012 featuring a former client, William Worthington, who complained about the performance of his investment portfolio. Muzik was represented by William Gange of Gange Collins Holloway.<ref>{{cite news|last=|first=|date=December 23, 2021|title=Judge orders CBC to pay nearly $1.7M in defamation case|website=[[Canadian Broadcast Corporation|CBC News]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/kenneth-wayne-muzik-cbc-defamation-case-1.6296600|access-date=|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824194005/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/kenneth-wayne-muzik-cbc-defamation-case-1.6296600|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2022, Rempel ordered CBC to pay nearly $300 thousand to cover Muzik's legal fees.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 22, 2022|title=Manitoba judge orders CBC to pay $295K in defamation case court costs|website=[[Canadian Broadcast Corporation|CBC News]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/kenneth-wayne-muzik-cbc-defamation-case-1.6393769|access-date=|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824193951/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/kenneth-wayne-muzik-cbc-defamation-case-1.6393769|url-status=live}}</ref> ===''WE Charity v. CBC''=== On February 8 2022, [[WE Charity]]'s [[New York City|New York]]-based affiliate filed a lawsuit against the CBC for defamation.<ref name=DefamationLawsuit>{{cite news|last=Queen|first=Jack|date=June 28, 2023|title=Canadian Broadcasting Corp must face WE Charity defamation lawsuit, U.S. court rules|website=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/canadian-broadcasting-corp-must-face-we-charity-defamation-lawsuit-us-court-2023-06-28|access-date=}}</ref><ref name=CanadianLawyer>{{cite news|last=Dino|first=Angelica|date=July 13, 2023|title=US District Court refuses to dismiss defamation lawsuit against Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|magazine=Canadian Lawyer|url=https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/practice-areas/litigation/us-district-court-refuses-to-dismiss-defamation-lawsuit-against-canadian-broadcasting-corporation/377828}}</ref><ref name=ActualMalice>{{cite news|last=Patrice|first=Joe|date=April 18, 2023|title='Actual Malice' Standard Didn't Stop Dominion From Suing Fox News Because Sometimes Networks Leave Whole Paper Trails Of Malice|website=[[Above the Law (website)|Above the Law]]|url=https://abovethelaw.com/2023/04/fox-news-defamation-cbc-actual-malice/|access-date=}}</ref><ref name=Pacer>{{cite web|title=WE CHARITY v. CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION|website=PacerMonitor|url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/43488254/WE_CHARITY_v_CANADIAN_BROADCASTING_CORPORATION}}</ref> The 230-page complaint was filed in the [[United States District Court for the District of Columbia]], where the case was assigned to [[United States district judge|district judge]] [[Randolph Moss|Randolph D. Moss]].<ref name=DefamationLawsuit/><ref name=Pacer/> The lawsuit alleges that, in an hour-long piece for its series [[The Fifth Estate (TV series)|The Fifth Estate]], the CBC broadcast claims by reporters Mark Kelly and Harvey Cashore that the CBC knew to be false, including that WE Charity had exaggerated the number of schoolhouses it had built in [[Kenya]] and deceived donors about how their money had been spent. WE Charity accused the CBC of fabricating quotes and using misleading editing to support what WE called a "preconceived narrative."<ref name=DefamationLawsuit/><ref name=CanadianLawyer/> Joe Patrice of the [[Above the Law (website)|Above the Law]] website, which covers legal news, reviewed the details of the lawsuit and called it a "mirror image" of [[Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News Network]].<ref name=ActualMalice/><ref name=ForumNonMotion>{{cite news|last=Patrice|first=Joe|date=July 6, 2023|title=Forum Non Motion Fails In The Face Of Modern Litigation Technology|website=[[Above the Law (website)|Above the Law]]|url=https://abovethelaw.com/2023/07/forum-non-motion-fails-in-the-face-of-modern-litigation-technology/}}</ref> [[Dominion Voting Systems]], originally a Canadian company, choose to sue [[Fox News Network]] in the United States, ultimately settling for $787.5 million.<ref name=Enrich>{{cite news|last=Enrich|first=David|date=April 18, 2023|title=The $787.5 million deal is one of the largest defamation settlements in U.S. history|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/04/18/business/fox-news-dominion-trial-settlement/the-787-5-million-deal-is-one-of-the-largest-defamation-settlements-in-us-history}}</ref> Similarly, WE Charity, whose American operations are incorporated in [[Williamsville, New York]], sued the CBC in the United States, in both instances despite the hurdle of the "actual malice" standard established in [[New York Times Co. v. Sullivan]], which is unique to American law and requires that the defendant either knew that or did not care if its representations were false.<ref name=ActualMalice/> Pattrice writes, "The CBC produced segments claiming that the charity misappropriated donor money… it did not."<ref name=ForumNonMotion/> On May 4, the CBC's attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the case per ''forum non conveniens'', saying that it would be more appropriately heard before a Canadian court.<ref name=DefamationLawsuit/><ref name=CanadianLawyer/><ref name=ActualMalice/><ref name=ForumNonMotion/><ref name=Pacer/> WE Charity replied on June 10, countering that the CBC's allegations had hindered its fundraising efforts in the United States, where many of its donors are located.<ref name=ForumNonMotion/><ref name=Pacer/> On June 27, Judge Moss denied the CBC's motion, ruling that the case would proceed in the District Court.<ref name=DefamationLawsuit/><ref name=CanadianLawyer/><ref name=ForumNonMotion/><ref name=Pacer/> Moss rejected the CBC's assertion that travel from Canada to the United States was unduly burdensome, and held that the relative ease of modern electronic discovery and document transfer between jurisdictions made the existence of documentary evidence in Canada a negligible hurdle to litigation in the United States.<ref name=ForumNonMotion/> Patrice suggests that, even ten years prior, the CBC's motion might have succeeded, and sees the decision as an example of how the rise of digital media is revolutionizing the legal profession.<ref name=ForumNonMotion/> === Twitter label controversy === On April 17, 2023, the main CBC account on [[Twitter]] was labeled as "government-funded media". In response, the CBC announced they would cease posting on Twitter, similarly to [[NPR]] after the initial [[NPR#Twitter controversy|controversy]] surrounding [[Twitter under Elon Musk|Elon Musk's decisions as Twitter CEO]]. Later, Elon Musk tweeted that in response to the CBC's claim that they were "less than 70% government-funded", Twitter was changing the label to "69% government-funded media."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trudeau-rival-clash-over-twitter-labeling-cbc-government-funded-2023-04-17/ |title=Canada public broadcaster's Twitter account labeled '69% Government-funded Media' |newspaper=Reuters |date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418051541/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trudeau-rival-clash-over-twitter-labeling-cbc-government-funded-2023-04-17/ |url-status=live |last1=Scherer |first1=Steve }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/17/justin-trudeau-pierre-poilievre-twitter-cbc |title=Canada's CBC'pauses'Twitter use after government-funded media label |newspaper=The Guardian |date=April 17, 2023 |access-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418035005/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/17/justin-trudeau-pierre-poilievre-twitter-cbc |url-status=live |last1=Cecco |first1=Leyland }}</ref> According to the CBC annual revenue report, 70.6% of revenue came from government spending in 2019-2020, while 65.6% of revenue came from the government in 2021-2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019-2020 Annual Report - Revenue and Other Sources of Funds |url=https://cbc.radio-canada.ca/en/impact-and-accountability/finances/annual-reports/ar-2019-2020/financial-sustainability/revenue-and-other-funds |access-date=April 24, 2023 |website=CBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2021-2022 Annual Report - Revenue and Other Sources of Funds |url=https://cbc.radio-canada.ca/en/impact-and-accountability/finances/annual-reports/ar-2021-2022/financial-sustainability/revenue-and-other-funds|access-date=April 24, 2023 |website=CBC |language=en}}</ref> On May 9, the CBC announced that it would resume activity on some of its Twitter accounts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Canadian |first=Press |date=May 9, 2023 |title=CBC resumes activity on some of its Twitter accounts after hitting pause over labels |work=Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2023/05/09/cbc-resumes-activity-on-some-of-its-twitter-accounts-after-hitting-pause-over-labels.html |access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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