Journalists of colour react to CBC host resigning over lack of Indigenous, Black representation

Canada's media institutions have been under the microscope in the past few weeks for their part in perpetuating systemic racism, and the CBChas been no exception.

Last week, after making on-air remarks about the under-representation of Indigenous and Black voices at the public broadcaster, Christine Genier,host of CBC'sYukon Morningradio show in Whitehorse, resigned.

Genier, a citizen of the Tn Kwch'n Council, told listeners that CBC's journalistic standards and practices (JSP) make it difficult for her to speak out as an Indigenous woman.

The CBC has long insisted that its journalists avoid expressing personal opinions on the stories they cover.

In aFacebook statement made shortly after her resignation, Genier said theCBC's JSPperpetuates systemic racism and "blocks our ability to bring the stories and language and culture to the programming."

"This is painful and makes the job difficult and it makes it ineffective," said Genier in her final broadcast June 8."Weget told that it takes time to move aship ...but it is costing us bodies."

Christine Genier's statement

4 years ago

Duration 3:56

Listen to Christine Genier's on-air statement during CBC's Yukon Morning on June 8, 2020.

Genier'scomments may have shocked some listeners,but her emotive words during her last host appearance resonated with many people of colour workingin the Canadian media industry.

Steve Sxwithul'txw, producer of Tribal Police Files on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and a former CBC journalist, said Genier's move was principally based on what was truly important to her "her people, her languageand her way of life."

Sxwithul'txw,a member of thePenelakutTribe, said those critical Indigenous perspectives have been silenced for too long and he sees Genier'sactions as a bold attempt to promote change within a media organization.

In a blog post published on the afternoon of June 8, CBC News editor-in-chief Brodie Fenlonsaid he's committed to reviewing the JSP"through the prism of inclusivity."

"Do our definitions of objectivity balance fairness and impartiality and our insistence that journalists not express personal opinions on the stories we cover work against our goals of inclusion and being part of the community and country we serve?" wrote Fenlon.

Anita Li, co-founder of the Canadian Journalists of Colour network, says she seesthis as a possible sign there is"genuine change afoot," but she will believe it when she sees it.

"Institutions, whether they're media or government in Canada, have a long history of lip service," said Li on CBC'sThe Early Edition onWednesday."I need to see institutions walk the walk first."

Danni Olusanya, culture editor at The Ubyssey thefirst Black woman to be in an editorial position at the University of British Columbia's 102-year-old student newspaperhopes change is coming swiftly becausewithout it, she fears her future career could suffer.

Olusanyaworries about what she says many journalists of colour have warned her of namely, systemic racism and how it has kept Black and Indigenous journalists from positions of editorial power.

"Even though I am an editor right now, I'm thinking about entering the industry later [and] whether that's going to be replicated for meat big news organizations," saidOlusanya, also speaking on The Early Edition.

According to Li, there has not been a study released aboutdemographic data in Canadian newsrooms in over a decade and it is time for newsrooms to begin self-reporting on a regular basis.

"You can't change what you don't first acknowledge," said Li, adding that change starts with hiring more people of colour.That means not just "rank and file" jobs, she says, but also management level positions that havehiring and editorial control.

This, said Sxwithul'txw, would make media outlets more attractive for Indigenous and Black journalists and create newsrooms that better understand these perspectives so those journalists feel comfortable and don't jump ship.

"Let's be honest, it happens all the time and has been happening for years," said Sxwithul'txw, about the exodus of minority voices in media.

Susan Marjetti,CBC'sgeneral manager for news, current affairs and local programming, said CBC, like many Canadian organizations, is working hard to change from within in terms of hiring, promotion and editorial choices,

"Systemic racism is real in all organizations and our industry, and the CBC is just a microcosm," said Marjetti on The Early Edition.

On the same show, Fenlon re-stated his commitment to reviewing the JSP, which wascreatedto ensure journalists are objective and impartial.

When it comes to matters of race and identity,Olusanyasays, for her, there is no debate: "Thateverybody is equal and has the right to have their lives mattershould not be necessarily a controversial thing to state."

To hear Anita Li,Danni OlusanyaandSteve Sxwithul'txwinterviewed on The Early Edition,tap here.

To hear the interview with CBC's Brodie Fenlon andSusan Marjettion The Early Edition, tap here.