Radio-Canada proposes that its presenters and journalists apologize live in the event of an unexpected mention of the N-word, and announces that reruns of its programs will henceforth be stripped of all offensive language that does not have “editorial justification”.

This is the verdict of the state-owned company, which was quietly published on Friday its guidelines regarding offensive language. This document was ordered from him a controversial decision on the use of the n-word by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in June, which used the term “offensive language” instead.

The four-page text explains that a “case-by-case” analysis must be made when exceptionally considering using “potentially offensive language” on the air. The context and editorial justification should be evaluated and management should be consulted “when in doubt”.

These guidelines are effective immediately. They refer to any “abusive, degrading or unduly discriminatory, stereotypical or negative language” about “race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or physical or mental disability”.

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Société Radio-Canada (SRC) is also preparing to hear a forbidden word from the mouth of a guest. His transcript includes a live apology and an edit of the show’s version set for rerun.

In the case of “unexpected and unjustifiable dissemination of offensive language” by someone who is not [employé par] The SRC, like an interviewee, “the host or journalist acts in a manner that reduces the risk of the guest repeating the offensive remarks,” we can read.

The professional then has to apologize to the audience “if he deems it necessary for the program”. Otherwise, unless there is “editorial justification”, the offending passage must be deleted for the second life of the show, as with catching up on the on-demand platforms.

The public broadcaster relies on a code developed by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters to state, for example, that it is permissible to treat these words “intellectually” during, for example, university, artistic or journalistic programmes. The code in question also permits their use for comedy or satire, although Radio Canada’s guidelines make no mention of this.

caution

Public media listeners and viewers are ultimately warned before they are exposed to potentially painful words that the CBC should be broadcasting coast to coast anyway.

“When deciding that the broadcast of potentially offensive language is justifiable and necessary in a particular broadcasting context, it should also be considered whether the addition of a caveat (notice to the audience) could mitigate the impact,” its chiefs ruled.

These new guidelines come “to clarify CBC/Radio-Canada’s internal decision-making process,” Radio-Canada spokesman Marc Pichette said in an email to the Have to. However, going back to the Radio-Canada archives to change the old broadcasts available for listening is out of the question. Only November 2022 and subsequent editions will be retouched according to this policy.

Radio-Canada added a warning upon hearing columnist Simon Jodoin’s intervention on the show 15-18 from 08/17/2020in which the title of the article is repeatedly quoted white niggers of america, by Pierre Vallieres. “We would like to advise you that the following section contains a word that may offend some people,” warns an announcement.

On June 29, the CRTC reprimanded the CBC for improperly insulting its audience during that broadcast. This decision triggered an outcry with certain employees of the public broadcaster, who finally apologized when you address it. The CRTC had requested a report on “internal policies and best practices in programming” in a report to be made available to the public. The SRK had obtained an extension of the deadline until last Friday.

Without announcing it in a press release, on the said day Crown Corporation published its new guidelines, along with its other submissions to the CRTC, in the “Regulatory Affairs” section of its website.

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