General + Regulatory + Telecom + Media NewsCBC News issues apology to NDP MP Christine Moore

CBC News issues apology to NDP MP Christine Moore

CBC News has issued a formal apology to NDP MP Christine Moore over an opinion piece surrounding allegations from a former soldier that Moore abused her authority.

The May 8 opinion piece by Neil Macdonald, was entitled “Jagmeet Singh says he always believes survivors. Well, here’s another one.”

The piece focused on allegations from Afghanistan veteran Glen Kirkland that Moore abused her power when the two entered into a sexual relationship after meeting following his testimony before a parliamentary committee.

While Moore was suspended from her parliamentary functions pending an investigation, Singh later cleared the MP for Abitibi-Témiscamingue of any wrongdoing in July.

CBC has taken the unusual step of publishing prefacing text above the op ed on cbc.ca:

“On May 8, 2018, CBC News published the following opinion piece, which contained allegations against NDP MP Christine Moore. The piece argues a power imbalance in a relationship between the MP and a soldier suffering from PTSD who appeared before her at a Commons committee.

Moore was asked to respond to the allegations but asked for more time, which CBC News did not provide. We should have allowed Christine Moore enough time to provide her responses, which can be found in subsequent news articles.

Moore strongly denied the relationship was anything but fully mutual and consensual and provided evidence supporting this. CBC News apologizes to Moore for any inference to the contrary. On July 19, 2018, a report commissioned by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh cleared Moore of any wrongdoing.

The article did not meet all of our editorial standards, and we apologize to Christine Moore.”

A press release issued by the public broadcaster says Moore agrees the above text addresses her concerns with the column.

She has indicated she plans to sue Kirkland for defamation.

Coverage of the allegations from other Canadian media outlets were also the subject of legal complaints from Moore, including a May 9 Rosie Dimanno column in the Toronto Star.


Subscribe Now – Free!

Broadcast Dialogue has been required reading in the Canadian broadcast media for 25 years. When you subscribe, you join a community of connected professionals from media and broadcast related sectors from across the country.

The Weekly Briefing from Broadcast Dialogue is delivered exclusively to subscribers by email every Thursday. It’s your link to critical industry news, timely people moves, and excellent career advancement opportunities.

Let’s get started right now.

Connie Thiessen
Connie Thiessenhttps://broadcastdialogue.com
Connie has worked coast-to-coast as a reporter, editor, anchor and host at CKNW and News 1130 in Vancouver, News 95.7 and CBC in Halifax, and CFCW Edmonton, among other stations. With a passion for music, film and community service, she led News 95.7 to a 2013 Atlantic Journalism Award and regional RTDNA award for Best Radio Newscast. More recently, she was nominated for Music Journalist of the Year at Canadian Music Week 2019. To report a typo or error please email - corrections@broadcastdialogue.com

The Weekly Briefing - Subscribe Now – Free!

It’s your link to critical industry news, timely people moves, and excellent career advancement opportunities.

Events / Conferences