Feint praise?
CBC and CTV made the unusual move of disassociating themselves from Peter Kent, former broadcast journalist and now a Conservative candidate in the Toronto area riding of Thornhill. Kent’s promo video (here, on youtube.com) includes praise by Peter Mansbridge of the CBC, Lloyd Robertson of CTV and former CTV journalist Pamela
Wallin.
CBC and CTV made the unusual move of disassociating themselves from
Peter Kent, former broadcast journalist and now a Conservative
candidate in the Toronto area riding of Thornhill. Kent’s promo video (here, on youtube.com) includes praise of his broadcast career by Peter Mansbridge of the CBC, Lloyd Robertson of CTV and former CTV journalist Pamela
Wallin.
Reported the Canadian Press
“The video shows notable Canadian journalists, including CBC anchor
Peter Mansbridge and CTV anchor Lloyd Robertson, lauding Kent for his
journalistic achievements.”
The ethics issue made it into the Hollywood Reporter:
“News executives from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and CTV said
appearances by their network anchors in the video tribute to Kent, who
worked for the CBC, CTV and NBC before he segued into politics, did not
represent campaign endorsements.”
Stated CBC News head John Cruickshank: “These taped appearances were made several years ago for a broadcast industry event. Neither Peter
Mansbridge nor CBC News have in any way endorsed Mr. Kent, the Conservative Party of Canada or any other political party or candidate.”
And from CTV News president Robert Hurst:
“These taped appearances by Ms. Wallin and Mr. Robertson were made over
two years ago for a broadcast industry event … neither Ms. Wallin,
Mr. Robertson nor CTV News have in any way publicly endorsed Mr. Kent,
the Conservative Party of Canada or any other political party or
candidate.”
Hmmm. Should a journalist-turned-politician use accolades of his journalism by former journalism colleagues in political campaign material?
