CBC / Radio-Canada has apologized for the repeated use of the word N in a Radio-Canada program in 2020, but will appeal a CRTC decision related to the segment, saying the regulator has exceeded its authority.
“We consider that the CRTC has exceeded its authority with regard to the independence of the public broadcaster,” it said in a statement.
“Its decision on June 29 poses a threat, because the Commission has tried to grant itself the power to interfere in journalistic independence.
“It was a serious mistake. We just don’t accept CRTC interference in journalism in Canada.”
The statement comes after the CRTC ordered the public broadcaster last month to apologize in writing for the use of the word N on its airwaves.
The use of the word occurred during an air discussion on August 17, 2020, on a petition demanding the dismissal of a Concordia University professor who had cited the title of a famous book by Pierre Vallières which includes the word N. A journalist and a commentator repeated the offensive word several times during that 2020 discussion.
This sparked a complaint to the CRTC from a black Montreal resident.
The CRTC then ruled that Radio-Canada did not implement all necessary measures to mitigate the impact of the word N on its audience. In addition, he said the broadcast of the program segment “did not offer high-level programming and did not contribute to strengthening the cultural and social fabric and reflecting the multicultural and multiracial nature of Canada.”
In its statement Wednesday, CBC / Radio-Canada said dissenting views from the regulator itself indicated that it has neither the authority nor jurisdiction to make that decision.
“We need to appeal to the CRTC’s jurisdiction on issues that should fall to our news leaders. Journalistic independence is vital for all of us,” the statement said.
CBC / Radio-Canada acknowledged that while the word N was used in a journalistic context, it was detrimental to some audience members and employees.
“Some of our journalists have expressed the view that this is only a matter of freedom of expression, but we all know that words can hurt and should be used with care. That is why we will apologize to the listener. who filed a complaint “. said the statement.
“The use of that word hurts a lot of our audience and our own employees and that’s why we feel so sorry for it.”
He said he was also adding a notice to the show where he appears online to prepare listeners. In addition, Radio-Canada will launch an internal review to examine its policies and standards regarding language that may be harmful.
“We do these things because we believe it is the right thing to do, not because the CRTC tells us to,” the statement says.