The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has refused to answer questions posed by a Senate committee studying Islamophobia, citing journalistic independence.
Shaun Poulter, CBC’s executive director for public affairs and government relations, in a March 2 letter declined the request of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Human Rights to meet with CBC/Radio-Canada “news leaders,” as reported by Blacklocks’ Reporter.
“It would not be appropriate for our editorial leaders to also be participants in the Committee’s work. Our journalists regularly report on issues like Islamophobia, and must do so independently,” said Poulter’s letter.
He said journalists “cannot risk being perceived as advocates or agents subject to a Committee’s scrutiny and recommendations.”…