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
Thank you Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette for setting the record straight. It is clear to most thinking and observant news watchers that CTV is an organ of the Conservative party. CTV has lowered itself to the same level as the Conservative party in the deliberate perpetuation of falsehoods directed at those who have differing political opinions. Conservative strategy seems to be that if you tell a lie often enough some people will start to believe it. In this pursuit they have found a powerful ally in CTV. It would be acceptable if CTV offered editorial opinion in support of the Conservatives but deliberate lies presented as fact should be illegal in a mature democracy like Canada. I believe Mr. Fife should at the very least be suspended and not allowed to return to work until such time as he makes an on air prime time apology to the Liberal senators in particular and to the Canadian public in general. Thank you.
Well good for you!
Well, said, and may I add three words; Senator Mike Duffy.
I surprised that Fife didn’t get a Senate seat at the same time as the fellow conservative blowhard Mike Puffy. For years this guy has pretended to be a “journalist” when in fact he is nothing more than an apologist for the far right wing.
Good evening Senator,
I just wanted to thank you for standing up for the truth and the record in the Senate. Too often, this kind of distortion of facts goes unchallenged, and though it probably counts for very little, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for your work.
Best regards