Former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe's "whirlwind business relationship" with Radio-Canada isn't likely to fade from public discourse any time soon, writes Michael Taube in a recent Ottawa Citizen column.
Former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe's "whirlwind business relationship" with Radio-Canada isn't likely to fade from public discourse any time soon, writes Michael Taube in a recent Ottawa Citizen column.
"In fact," he adds, "Our public broadcaster will rue the day its French language affiliate tried to get in bed with an ex-politician who wanted to break apart Canada."
For those who don't know, last week Radio-Canada announced Duceppe had been hired to provide weekly commentary — though apparently not about politics. CBC's standards require politicians must observe a two-year "cooling off" period before being hired to voice their political views on-air.
So what was Duceppe going to chat about? We'll never know. According to the press release, Duceppe backed out due to a misunderstanding about his mandate.
"From a pure ratings perspective, Duceppe would have been a good pickup," writes Taube, "But from a communications standpoint, the CBC and Radio-Canada were crazy to have pursued this option."
Not only is Duceppe is a lightning rod for controversy, he adds, l'affaire Duceppe kicked open the floodgates for a national discussion on privatizing the network.
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Taube continues:
"Their French-language radio station attempted to hire Gilles Duceppe, who would have bolstered ratings — and been bad for business. A private TV network would never have hired the former BQ leader for a full-time position. It could have led to an overall loss of viewers, advertisers, and total revenue — and that's not a risk they would be willing to take. The CBC, a public broadcaster knee-deep in annual debt, doesn't worry about such trivial matters."
Concluding:
"Well, maybe they should. Many Canadians were displeased with the CBC's original decision to hire a separatist. The issue may be over, but the bad taste still remains. If they're not careful, those same Canadians may tell Ottawa they want to separate from the CBC for good."
The CBC stumbled with l’affaire Duceppe: Citizen columnist
Former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe's "whirlwind business relationship" with Radio-Canada isn't likely to fade from public discourse any time soon, writes Michael Taube in a recent Ottawa Citizen column.
Former Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe's "whirlwind business relationship" with Radio-Canada isn't likely to fade from public discourse any time soon, writes Michael Taube in a recent Ottawa Citizen column.
"In fact," he adds, "Our public broadcaster will rue the day its French language affiliate tried to get in bed with an ex-politician who wanted to break apart Canada."
For those who don't know, last week Radio-Canada announced Duceppe had been hired to provide weekly commentary — though apparently not about politics. CBC's standards require politicians must observe a two-year "cooling off" period before being hired to voice their political views on-air.
So what was Duceppe going to chat about? We'll never know. According to the press release, Duceppe backed out due to a misunderstanding about his mandate.
"From a pure ratings perspective, Duceppe would have been a good pickup," writes Taube, "But from a communications standpoint, the CBC and Radio-Canada were crazy to have pursued this option."
Not only is Duceppe is a lightning rod for controversy, he adds, l'affaire Duceppe kicked open the floodgates for a national discussion on privatizing the network.
[node:ad]Taube continues:
"Their French-language radio station attempted to hire Gilles Duceppe, who would have bolstered ratings — and been bad for business. A private TV network would never have hired the former BQ leader for a full-time position. It could have led to an overall loss of viewers, advertisers, and total revenue — and that's not a risk they would be willing to take. The CBC, a public broadcaster knee-deep in annual debt, doesn't worry about such trivial matters."
Concluding:
"Well, maybe they should. Many Canadians were displeased with the CBC's original decision to hire a separatist. The issue may be over, but the bad taste still remains. If they're not careful, those same Canadians may tell Ottawa they want to separate from the CBC for good."
Lauren McKeon