To change the topic to our beloved (cough, Cough) CBC... I just sent this letter to input@cbc.
Anyone want to add their 1.8 cents worth?
-g
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I observe with serious concern that the CBC seems to have no qualms about promoting superstition and ignorance in its programming. The most egregious examples of this include interviews with clairvoyants, psychics, astrologers, homeopaths and other claimants of supernatural powers that are conducted as though there was some connection between these fantasies and reality (e.g., Living in Calgary, Feb 5, 2006). That is simply irresponsible behaviour for (what should be) educated professionals. This is the 21 century. The renaissance has been in progress for hundreds of years. We don't need medieval anti-intellectualism propaganda on our publicly funded airwaves.
Now, I understand that the CBC has intentionally qualified its mandate to provide "programming that informs, enlightens and entertains". The new mandate is clearly to generate "programming of interest to the broadest audience for the lowest cost". However, there must surely be some other strategy for dumbing down your programming (to broaden the audience) and avoiding actual effort in the preparation of shows (to reduce costs) that doesn't resort to such intellectual negligence. The renowned BBC has gone through a similar cost-cutting and popularization programme as has the CBC without falling (as often) into the grasp of anti-intellectuals. The CBC can do it too.
I quote the preamble to your Journalistic Standards and Practices:
"The broadcast media in particular have an obligation to be fair, accurate, thorough, comprehensive and balanced in their presentation of information. This is unmistakably true of a public broadcasting agency, which is accountable through its Board of Directors to the Parliament and people of Canada." Reporting medieval superstitions as having credibility is neither fair or accurate. Ignoring the fact that all of these claims have been repeatedly, thoroughly and comprehensively debunked is not balanced. "Equal weight" is not balance. The CBC does not give equal weight to antisemitic beliefs, and to do so would not be "balanced" and would give those beliefs undeserved credibility. Yet CBC programming gives attention to mind-numbing supernatural drivel, which, de facto, is taking an editorial position that gives credibility to the incredible.
If, by some miraculous intervention, the CBC decides that it once again wants to actually inform and enlighten, it might try to shine some light on the efforts of educated society to debunk still-prevalent mythologies, and to the harm these mythologies bring to society. |
