A LETTER TO THE CBC : INTERVIEWING JIMMY CARTER
[By Francis L. Maltby, The Carter Center, The Canadian Radio and
Television Commission, December 9, 2006]
To Robert Rabinovitch:
This is a journalistic note to CBC commentators Terence MacKenna and
Carole McNeil and to senior managers of CBC News.
Your interviews with former US President Jimmy Carter and U of T
professor Janice Stein had all the hallmarks of classic bait and switch
reportage. This stuff I expect from news organizations like FOX News in
the US. Your interview with Mr. Carter focused on the controversial
nature of his remarks and conveniently ignored his repeated references
to international agreements and previous commitments by Israel to both
Palestinians and the global community regarding its conduct and
activities within deputed Palestinian territory. The conduct is
deplorable and in some case illegal. Even many fair-minded and
justice-seeking Israelis and Jewish peoples have acknowledged these facts.
So what goes on when the venerable news organization the CBC National,
first interviews a respected global personality who has worked
tirelessly for peace (Jimmy Carter), then sets him up for a pallid
character assassination by some unknown and questionable “expert” on
conflict resolution. Ms Stein’s credentials were in my mind shattered
when she first accuses Mr. Carter of “violating” the basic tenet of
conflict resolution, that is “naming” a party, Israel. Then proceeds to
engage in a transparent attempt to destroy not only former president
Carter’s personal reputation but also the reputation of his
organization. I am surprised the woman did not fall back on that lame
technique of sullying anyone’s name that attempts to criticize Israel’s
shameful behaviours in the Middle East, that is calling him
“anti-Semitic”. What shallow and dishonest agenda is this woman involved
in?
Frankly the agenda of Ms. Stein and the CBC News in this piece is not
that difficult to determine. Not unlike most western media your
reportage reflects an often subtle but consistent bias in favour of at
best underreporting the grievances of the Palestinians, at worst
engaging in patently biased charades such as this report, dressed up, as
I am sure you would say “a balanced view”. You are inside the looking
glass CBC. You live in a world of delusion if you believe that you can
foist this pathetic excuse for journalism on the Canadian public and
expect them to buy into the distorted worldview you present.
At the end of the day what cooked your goose were your two guests
behaviours and credentials. Mr. Carter has an established reputation as
a dedicated global leader on issues of peace and reconciliation. That
such a person would speak with such candour and honesty is completely
out of character for the political realm. He is to be credited not
pilloried. In contrast Janice Stein’s shrill and hypocritical
presentation of the “tenet” of conflict resolution simply demonstrates
she has a secondary objective. Clearly that is to silence Mr. Carter,
and in her own words, to ensure his opinions are “marginalized”. That
position serves those in the Israeli state and their North America
advocacy organizations that would continue to practice oppressive and
illegal behaviours within Palestine.
To former president Jimmy Carter, I wish to apologize on behalf of all
fair-minded Canadians for this shameful attempt by the CBC New
organization to damage your reputation and your good work globally for
peace and justice. Many if not most Canadian respect your efforts and
wish you continued influence in these debates.
Sincerely
Francis L. Maltby
The Carter Center
The Canadian Radio and Television Commission
