Ottawa, February 2, 1999 -- The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) today released its decision concerning a consumer-related news item which was aired on CKVR-TV in Barrie. The report dealt the pitfalls of used car purchases and featured the story of a woman who bought a used van which failed to live up to her expectations. The owner of the car dealership targeted by the report complained that the report had been sensational and unfair.
The Ontario Regional Council considered the complaint under provisions of the Codes of Ethics of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) and the Radio Television News Directors Association (RTNDA). It found no Code violation. Noting that “businesses may be particularly sensitive about being targeted by ‘consumer report’ news segments”, the Council found that
the report was fair and balanced and not particularly dramatic, much less sensationalized. The report clearly indicated that the dealer had done “everything by the book” and that the consumer had bought the vehicle “as is”, without certification or warranty. It also presented the dealer’s explanation and denial of the allegations made by the consumer...
The Council was of the view that the crux of the complaint stemmed from the broadcaster’s choice in doing a report involving the complainant’s business. The Council had no hesitation in confirming the broadcaster’s entitlement to determine what is newsworthy. The Council stated that
under the Broadcasting Act, broadcasters enjoy “journalistic, creative and programming independence”. The Council is of the view that this independence is also a cornerstone of the interpretation which should be given to the industry Codes which members of the CBSC have agreed to abide by. Accordingly, the Council does not question the broadcaster’s determination of the newsworthiness of this consumer report.
Canada’s private broadcasters have created industry standards in the form of Codes on ethics, gender portrayal and television violence by which they expect their members will abide. They also created the CBSC, which is the self-regulatory body with the responsibility of administering those Codes, as well as the Code dealing with journalistic practices created by the Radio Television News Directors Association Canada (RTNDA). More than 430 radio and television stations and specialty services from across Canada are members of the Council.
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All CBSC decisions, Codes, links to members’ and other web sites, and related information are available on the World Wide Web at www.cbsc.ca. For more information, please contact the National Chair of the CBSC, Ron Cohen, at (###) ###-####.