I have written a formal complaint to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council dated October 21, 2009, against the CTV network and Robert Fife, a CTV journalist, for violating the code of ethics of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) and the Radio Television News Directors Association of Canada (RTNDA)

In a CTV report concerning the Senate’s review of Bill C-25, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (limiting credit for time spent in pre-sentencing custody), journalist Robert Fife “grossly manipulated public opinion.”

“CTV tried to convince Canadians that Liberal senators killed Bill C-25 and supported criminals, said Senator Hervieux-Payette. CTV claimed that Conservative senators wanted to support the bill, while they clearly refused to do so. This is false. In fact, Conservative senators blocked debate and suspended the work of the Senate for 10 days but CTV misrepresented these facts as reported by Canadian Press“.

CTV had violated clauses 5 and 6 of the CAB’s code of ethics concerning the accuracy and impartiality of broadcasters. I also feel that Mr. Fife violated articles 1, 3 and 5 of the RTNDA code of ethics concerning journalistic accuracy, authenticity and independence.

“We are dealing with a Conservative government that manipulates the Canadian public by putting its party`s logo on government cheques, models the symbols used by our  Olympic athletes on its own logo, sweeps reports on torture in Afghanistan under the carpet and conducts misleading advertising campaigns … and CTV is paid to broadcast these schemes”.

“I am asking that the independence of the network and its editorial staff in relation to the government be examined”.

Attachments:

CBSC Complaint Letter         Press Release

Media Reports of Interest:

“This is a very interesting development. I mean, CTV is developing quite a history of coverage which isn’t exactly fair and balanced when it comes to the political scene (and witness the incident with Stéphane Dion’s false start interview and Mike Duffy, who wound up in the Senate for his good work). And I’m glad that the Senator is speaking out about it.”  Dale Smith

 

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