At Radio-Canada, words have become an obsession, causing confusion and frustration among employees.
There are whispers in the hallways that Michel Bissonnette’s reluctance to publicly apologize for the “n” word is the reason for his dismissal (or forced resignation) as vice president of the French network. We remember that in a radio broadcast we mentioned the title of Pierre Vallières’ book four times: “White Negroes of America”.
The “n” word may have something to do with it, but it falls short of explaining Bissonnette’s departure. There had been tensions between him and CEO Catherine Tait for a long time. Her perfect bilingualism (she speaks impeccable French) may therefore not have enabled her to understand the French network better than some of her English-speaking predecessors.
The 18-month extension of Ms Tait’s mandate amounted to a repudiation of her term. This should have warned them against the dismissal of a vice president who enjoyed the full trust of the French network’s employees.
The fact is that the widespread wokism that reigns at the CBC headquarters in Toronto, and the unhealthy fear of words that is one of its consequences, played some role in the departure of vice-president Michel Bissonnette. Since the stupid “N” word crisis, Radio-Canada hosts, commentators and journalists have been walking on eggshells. They twist their tongue in their mouth seven times before finally saying nothing so as not to compromise themselves. Experience carefully watching Anne-Marie Dussault in her show around the clock.
Terrorists? But no !
Some time after the Russian army invaded Ukraine, most media outlets in the Western world (including Le Journal) agreed to ban the word “Kiev,” the Russian name for the Ukrainian capital, and replace it with “Kyiv,” the Ukrainian , to replace name. Luce Julien, Radio-Canada’s information director, then decreed that the name change appeared to be on Ukraine’s side. Here then!
The tragic weekend that Israelis and Palestinians have just experienced has shown us that there is a fly maniac at the CBC who is even more zealous than Madame Julien. In an emergency email sent to CBC journalists and commentators at midday Saturday, George Achi, director of journalistic standards in the information department, reminded us that we should definitely not talk about “terrorists” when we talk about actions of Hamas fighters who have just attacked Israel. This despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself denouncing “the organization” the next day terrorist Hamas.”
Radio-Canada and the CBC showed much less “objectivity” at the time of the October Crisis!
hit in the face
Jeanne-Mance Delisle wrote her play “Un reel ben beau, ben sad” in 1977, at a time when we were not afraid of words. The Abitibian family that the play portrays only uses hated words to express themselves. What follows is an hour and a half of drama that will leave you glued to your seat, barely able to cope with this wave of misery and violence. Almost a century later, it is still relevant.
If you are not afraid of words that are no longer spoken and gestures that are now condemned, go to the Théâtre du Rideau Vert. Marc Béland has masterfully directed this forgotten play, with a cast that shows as much talent as self-forgetfulness. Hearts that are too sensitive should not be used!
