Former CRTC commissioner and Calgary Herald publisher Peter Menzies is blasting the CBC over its short-lived direction to reporters not to call the 9/11 attacks terrorism, calling the decision “ridiculously bureaucratic.”
On today’s episode of Straight Up with Marc Patrone, Menzies weighs in on the CBC controversy, its rapid reversal following criticism from the Liberal cabinet, and the Republican Party’s decision to bar the public broadcaster from its convention.
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“There is no question that the 9/11 attacks were terrorism,” Menzies said, arguing journalism’s first obligation is to the truth and the CBC went too far in applying its editorial policy.
Menzies also questions whether political pressure prompted the CBC’s reversal, saying it appears “somebody in cabinet said jump and the CBC said how high.” He calls on the taxpayer-funded broadcaster to disclose whether government officials contacted CBC executives before it changed course.
Plus, Menzies weighs in on the Republican Party barring the CBC from its convention, saying he opposes excluding journalists from political events even when he disagrees with their coverage.
Finally, Menzies argues the controversy exposes a CBC culture increasingly disconnected from mainstream Canadians, while making the case that Canada still needs a public broadcaster to serve northern communities and other “news deserts.”
