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CBC Ombudsman Esther Enkin has found a complaint from J.D. Irving Limited’s legal counsel about the Twitter activity of CBC New Brunswick provincial affairs reporter Jacques Poitras to be unfounded but cites the need for vigilance. The complaint was about a perceived conflict of interest in the reporter using both a CBC Twitter account and one used to promote his books – one of which is about the Irvings. While Irving asked that Poitras stop tweeting and be banned from covering any Irving-related stories, the ombudsman found the reporter’s work fell well within the bounds of balance and analysis. Enkin did say, however, that the question of a perceived conflict of interest is more complicated. She suggests CBC News management revisit protocols to minimize the risk of any perception of conflict.
Bell Media has partnered with campaign management platform Influicity. As the exclusive Canadian broadcaster with access to the platform, the partnership aims to match clients with social influencers from a centralized marketplace to develop impactful marketing campaigns.
Canadian companies won’t be joining the U.S. in releasing big corporate news to Twitter and Facebook first. The Canadian Securities Administrators has issued new guidelines for social media usage, telling companies they must continue to initially report material information with traditional press releases. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is allowing companies to report key information first through social media as long as investors are alerted to which platform will be used.
The federal government has received a series of recommendations on how to make Canada a global hub for the emerging digital platform known as blockchain which is being billed as the foundation of the second generation of the Internet. The report, funded in part by the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, was put together by high-tech think tank Tapscott Group. Blockchain, which works off the technology at the heart of digital currency bitcoin, offers a digital ledger or bulletin board where information can be shared on a secure, transparent network. It’s potential is seen in reducing costs for businesses and consumers because it doesn’t depend on information being managed by middle men.
Rogers has introduced Social Media Security by Rogers, a cloud-based solution promising better protection for business-related social media accounts. The company says the cyber-security measure includes tools to safeguard profiles, backed by a strategic relationship with ZeroFOX, a North American leader in monitoring social media and digital channels for security threats and business risks.
