CBC Ombudsman Levels Conflict Deflection by CBC Vancouver of Their Victoria Bureau Chief: Stephen Smart’s Conflict Finally, Officially Outed!
Let me tell you about a guy named Merv Adey.
He’s one of my long-time and most loyal readers. He leans left, I don’t. We’ll agree on some things. but not all–far from it. His background is completely different from mine. In point of fact, we don’t have a whole lot in common.
But his super-articulate contributions to this blog are a source of great pride, privilege and knowledge–he’s one of the readers I learn from and enjoy reading.
When I summon readers to do something on principle–as I did when I was censored by a former CKNW staffer, Merv is first off the mark. Articulate indeed and sometimes menacingly so, after I revealed Stephen Smart’s conflict of interest early last year, Merv never let it go. Any private emails we exchanged–as I do with dozens of regulars (and you wonder why I fall behind promised posts sometimes!) the vast majority were about the Smart conflict of interest.
When I recently posted the exceptional work done by blogger Norman Farrell to lance the boil with the CBC Vancouver over this matter, I called upon readers to email the CBC and complain. I have copies of over FORTY emails that went out to various CBC executives.
The most pointed, was one from Merv Adey. He ripped into the CBC so thoroughly and completely that I kept thinking I might need a fire extinguisher for my touchscreen every time I reopened his email to enjoy his letter once more.
Of all the letters, I knew Merv’s would get someone’s attention; it was perfect, hammering the CBC or the obvious conflict Stephen Smart is in and dicing the arguments eventually advanced by local CBC boss Wayne Williams (for whom I have immense respect).
What a stunner, then, to have Kirk LaPointe, CBC Ombudsman from Toronto, come down with a ruling that Stephen Smart is absolutely in a conflict as CBC Victoria Bureau Chief because his wife Rebecca Scott is listed as a high-level staffer with Premier Christy Clark.
In typical CBC fashion (as is the modus operandi of the mothership since time immemorial) their Ombudsman doesn’t mediate conflicts and such–like most people in those positions of responsibility almost always do.
So now, the story gets interesting. Notwithstanding the absolutely EMBARRASSING display of foolhardiness this morning on CKNW by Bill Good, Keith Baldrey and Vaughn Palmer–when they actually had the temerity to EXCUSE Stephen Smart (new flash, gents, his own mothership says he’s in a conflict!) it is now back in the hands of the local CBC Vancouver to actually decide what to do. Otherwise, their legislative chief REMAINS IN A CONFLICT as long as his wife is working for the provincial government.
However, this whole matter illustrates just how far journalism in this province has fallen. The guy with the greatest piece of radio real estate ever (thanks to Rafe and a complete lack of competition–FOR NOW) doesn’t get it (or likely can’t get it because he’s too thick); the dean of BC media shames himself by not being blunt and admitting it’s now an even more serious problem as the CBC is wounded and must do something to mend their flank; and the Legislative Bureau Chief for Global TV, the Victoria boss of the number one media source in the province doesn’t understand that one of his competitors is mortally wounded unless the CBC pulls him off his detail or his wife is fired from the Premier’s office. It doesn’t help either that the two people who brought this conflict to light are bloggers: yours truly and Norman Farrell.
The entire rest of the mainstream press in this province ignored the conflict because, generally speaking, ethics in media, particularly in BC, has long vanished.
Three men, Good, Baldrey and Palmer, storied journalists all, who are often referred to as media ‘leaders’, are not interested and infact, blithely ignorant, to the severe injury Stephen Smart’s conflict causes journalism in this province. It’s no big deal because Stephen Smart is a great reporter and an equally good guy. Big deal! We know this already, I’ve written about Stephen’s integrity many times. That’s irrelevant!!!
But we are supposed to be setting aside our biases for the public good, are we not?
If you include the piece I will be doing tomorrow or Sunday on the socio-political cancer that is American extremist and right wing nutjob Newt Gingrich, then I’ll have spent this entire week plus some of the last, particularly if you review my posts against the Enbridge pipeline, the failings of both the federal Tories and similarly the BC Conservatives, as hammering my own.
I do, after all, lean conservative, right? I’m a ‘Conservative blogger’ according to my pal Mason. Global refers to me the same way.
Really? How does that look against the backdrop of the stories I’ve written hammering conservatives or traditionally conservative causes or gaffes?
A gentle reminder of why I have such a strong loyalty here and why we’re still number one in the blogosphere with over 100,000 BC readers per month.
Baldrey couldn’t bring himself to criticize former BC Ferries big nacho David Hahn because they golf together. Good dines with Pamela Martin still, like there’s nothing wrong and no conflict whatsoever; as he admits to reading off scripted questions prepared by the BC Liberals when he’s interviewing BC NDP leader Adrian Dix…and softballs interviews with his pal Christy Clark.
Let there be no doubt, we exist in the depths of media sewage in BC.
But what could be more conflicted than being married to a woman whose job it is to spin for a Premier you are supposed to be covering with impartiality and balance? Stephen should have told his wife she couldn’t take that job because it would conflict him, or he should have moved to sports until his wife’s tenure was over.
Stephen Smart is a very decent guy who deserves better, and I have nothing against Rebecca Scott personally–she’s the one who never liked me (for my strong opinions–specifically those against her eventual boss and former colleague Christy Clark), but defiantly trying to ignore the CBC conflict has only made matters worse. Someone from this blog complained to the CBC and their own Ombudsman agrees, apparently: Smart is in a conflict. No one, not the CBC, not Smart, not Scott, not anyone in this whole sordid affair cared to address the OBVIOUS conflict until a blog reader asked them to speak the truth on this issue.
Just once.
I sincerely hope this is the beginning of a wholesale enema that the media in this province truly needs.
But I won’t hold my breath. And neither should you.
This post is dedicated to the courage of a fellow named Merv Adey and to the equal courage of another fellow named Norman Farrell. You’ve both done this province proud.
Thank you, from a grateful British Columbian.
Hi Alex,
The surest sign that things have gone awry with the corporate media is the extent to which they have BECOME the story as your blog and all the comments following so clearly indicate. It’s one thing to TELL the story (realizing that human bias is inherent in every word we say or don’t say), but when the scales tip so far that the storytellers become characters in the unfolding drama, things are definitely askew. Thank you so much for this blog! If BC political media maneuvering was a field study in ethics for a journalism, it would be anything but dry. It could be a prime-time mini series. Even my days of CBC radio are over. Rick Cluff ended that with lip-smacking pro-Liberal aplomb.
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Omission: for a journalism COURSE
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Gotcha!
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Wow , queen photo op at it again, front page of the province !!, where there is pain and suffering queen photo op is there with camera men in tow, no body tell her when you get a sliver, she may appear on your door step with a set of tweezers and 5 camera men !!
Her brand of politics is vile, wouldn’t you agree Alex?
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Complete agreement.
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When I first heard of Stephen’s appointment to the BC Legislature coverage position, I sent him an email stating my concerns.
He sent me a reply saying the Corporation expressed no concern over this matter.
I too wrote to the CBC Ombudsman at that time.
I also registered my concern with the Radio and Television News Director’s Association of which I had been a long time member. It administers the Code of Ethics to which most broadcasters adhere. Article Six of this code deals with Conflict of Interest.
After reading the Ombudsman’s decision and the totally unsatisfactory response from Vancouver CBC management, I sent another email to the Ombudsman. Obviously, I also attempted to email the local management but no email addresses are available from the website.
Stephen is a very good reporter and should know better. I worked with him when he was a talk show producer at CKNW and when he joined the news department as a reporter. He will tell you that it was me who advised him to move over to the TV side of things.
I wish him nor his wife any malice.
But I hope the CBC will do the right thing and re assign him to a position which has no connection with reporting on the BC Government or any connection with any organization with which it deals. But I’m not holding my breath. The main stream media now is in the corporate toilet.
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EXCEPTIONAL COMMENT! Superb!!!
I also not your exceedingly sensible comments to Sean Leslie on his facebook page. He, too, like Keith, has embarrassed himself.
I’ll be doing a follow-up post on this later or tomorrow morning.
Always a pleasure to hear from you.
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When Mike Cleaver comments, it pays to listen.
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ABSOLUTELY!!!
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Is Bill Good not in a percieved conflict of interest hosting Pamela Martin and her husband at his Sunshine Coast home among other things, considering she now works in the Premier’s office? I find Bill Good is too cozy with some of his guests, and his questions are soft. I don’t listen to NW as much as I use to. We need a hardhitting news station to go up against NW.
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You’ll have it. Hopefully soon…
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Alex,
I write in defense in particular of Norm Farrel’s always excellent and very intelligent and enlightening contributions through his blog.
I was waiting for you to comment in his defence but alas it never came.
It is obvious to all who read here that Mr. Forest,though seeming intellegent, has taken the worship card to a whole new level.
Don
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Don:
I have been clear about how I feel about Norm’s writing and his work. How many comments must I make supportive of Norm to satisfy you?
I run the most read political blog in BC, not a kindergarten class.
Spare me.
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Not to worry. I appreciate the work done by Alex and don’t expect him to defend or agree with everything I do. In fact, the beauty of a good online forum is the exchange, even the clash, of diverse ideas. Wouldn’t it be boring if we all agreed, all of the time.
We don’t expect everyone to accept uncritically the words we write or the approaches we take. Both of us, I’m sure though, wish to provoke independent critical thinking among our readers.
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Agreed.
I just think Don F is being absurdly sensitive considering it’s a well know fact that you and Harvey are my two favorite bloggers and that with respect to you on this particular issue–I’ve been quite complimentary and have defended you because you’ve earned it in spades.
I didn’t realize that because someone has a different opinion, I’m supposed to bash the crap out of him or her every opportunity I get! Ludicrous. I’ve never done that.
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Well said Norm, and thanks for the use of your link that I posted…
@Don F, I hope your brother is doing well…
Thanks Alex. for allowing this personal note to Don..
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I hear echoes of “Billy Budd” by Herman Melville. Look it up.
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I’m sorry, but I’m very familiar with Melville’s ‘unfinished’ novella and from the brevity of your comment there is no way of knowing what you mean.
Perhaps you’ll return and be less demeaning and more articulate.
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George, Thank you for your concern of my brother and for remembering. Unfortunately he passed away only five weeks from diagnosis. Again thank you!
Don
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Sorry to hear that, Don.
My most heartfelt condolences.
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I’m so very sorry Don, my condolences. Take care of yourself…
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Alex, thank you very much I appreciate this very much!
Don
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You’re most welcome.
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Thank you Alex for the kind words, but it’s the bloggers who deserve the credit, both you and Norm Farrell. As I wrote to you last week, nobody would know about this issue if it weren’t for you two.
I was indeed away for the weekend, but came home to read your post and found myself amazed. I had managed to read the very brief Van Sun article and felt gratified to see even that. I haven’t listened to the NW segment yet, but I will.
I have to point out the obvious. We’ve all said that the problem isn’t Stephen Smart. Pardon the pun, but in a global sense, it’s the coziness of some mainstream media with the subjects and sources of news.
For however long this subject commands attention, Stephen S, whom I’ve never met and have NO issue with, is a symbol. He has my sympathy, but the CBC should do the honorable thing, and the MSM generally should take note that it matters.
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You’re most welcome.
The MSM have taken note: so far, just shameless excuse making.
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Merv:
I agree with you that Stephen Smart has become the symbol of the unhealthy relationship that currently exists between the media and the executive arm of government here in BC.
Railgate is similarly the ongoing symbol of the cozy relationship that exists between the judicial and the executive arm of government here in BC.
With respect to the latter relationship, the fact that one Minister is currently both the “interim” AG and Solicitor General, was intimately involved in Railgate, and was not trained in any aspect of the law, speaks volumes for the current health and well being of this relationship.
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The Vancouver Sun’s Craig McInnes,weighed in at 2:19 this morning to let us know that: “The issue should not be whether there are conflicts, but how they are managed.”
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Keeping+professional+secrets+part+modern+marriage/6041986/story.html
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McInnes has written one of the most asinine pieces on this issue.
Worry not, I’m on my way…
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Hats off to Merv Adey, of course. The issues related to the CBC conflict of interest are merely the tip of a dangerous iceberg, one that Craig McInnes, a member of the Sun’s editorial board, prefers to ignore. It is also ignored by Bill Good on his Friday Edge of the Ledge segment and on his defensive silliness during the Monday morning opener.
But, how can we expect people who are guilty of their own conflicts – or have obligingly condoned the conflict of others – to suddenly say, “Yeah, Alex and Norm are right. We’ve been wrong.”
In Dava Carvey’s words (as Bush the elder):
“Ain’t goin’ to happen.”
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http://northerninsights.blogspot.com/2012/01/sun-buries-reader-critics.html
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The Vancouver Sun’s Craig McInnes article on this issue is mindless! No facts, no balls – just obfuscation.
If there was any substance in his article, he would have provided a comments section for his readers, but of course, that would have obliterated his little pretzel-logic nursery rhyme.
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Well Alex, what you predicted is coming true, today’s poll released, is devastating to Christy Clark and the B.C. Libs.
Is any one in that cabinet or party aware of the slow motion “Train Wreck” they are in the middle of ????
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Apparently, they don’t get it. I’ve seen this before. Front row. She doesn’t know how to govern or is unprepared to do so–it doesn’t matter as there id no difference ot the electorate.
They want a leader, not prom queen. Christy doesn’t understand the difference.
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