Source : National Post

We criticize the CBC a lot on these pages. But when Mother Corp. does the right thing--as it did on Monday -- we should take note of that, too.

Last month, a minor scandal erupted when it became known that Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez had quizzed Brian Mulroney, during an appearance by the former PM before the House ethics committee, with questions that had been prepared for Mr. Rodriguez by a CBC journalist. Shortly thereafter, CBC executive Sean Poulter admitted that "actions in pursuing the story were inappropriate and against CBC/Radio-Canada's journalistic standards" --but the CBC wouldn't serve up the name of the guilty reporter.

Today, more than a month later, the CBC made the reporter's name public: Krista Erickson. The CBC also announced that Ms. Erickson will be reassigned from Ottawa to Toronto, effective this week. Good on the CBC for doing the right thing -- and, in the process, ignoring the various pundits who falsely claimed this was no big deal.

As for Ms. Erickson, she deserves to be able to get on with her journalistic career. What she did was wrong: Even if collusion between politicians and journalists is hardly unheard of in Ottawa, it is plainly inappropriate for a reporter with the national broadcaster to involve herself in a case with such partisan overtones. Nevertheless, there was no evidence that she had malicious, or even partisan, motives. Rather, she merely seemed to be trying to advance a juicy storyline.

Having gotten caught, the CBC had an obligation to the Conservative party and the Canadian public to serve up the reporter's name and promise it won't happen again. The CBC has done that. And so we can all put Pablo-gate behind us.

© National Post

Related Documents:

January 23, 2008 - Conservative Party of Canada: CBC Admits Inappropriate Practices
The Conservative Party of Canada again focuses critically on the CBC in a fundraising letter.