Source: CBC

The Canadian Press

Bernard Dérome, who anchored the national nightly newscast for more than three decades, used the opportunity to speak out against what he called the "dismantling" of the public broadcaster through cuts and underfunding.

"How can an institution like Radio-Canada, that has been at the centre of the development of francophones [in Canada] and that continues to be – how can this public institution that is the reference point for news and information continue to exist?" Dérome asked after accepting the national assembly's Medal of Honour.

He said he's very concerned about the broadcaster's future "given how we are — and I'm weighing my words here — dismantling an institution that is recognized for being the watchdog of rigorous news and information, information I call intelligent, for among other reasons, ideological motives."

"Being informed is being free, as René Lévesque said," Dérome continued. "If we have to continue to have our legs cut off, year after year, budget after budget, if the new standard is that from now on we have to manage a shrinking organization" then everyone will lose in the end, he said.

Dérome said he didn't understand why Quebec Conservative MPs in Ottawa weren't more outspoken about budget cuts at Radio-Canada and CBC.

"We are all Quebecers," he said. "And this francophonie is fragile."

The former anchor, who retired in December 2008, called on the general population to stand up for public broadcasting if they believe in it.

The Conservative government responded to Dérome's plea by stating it didn't impose any cuts at CBC/Radio-Canada and is not responsible for the broadcaster's situation.

"The Conservative government wants to work with Radio-Canada, hand in hand with Radio-Canada, and not against Radio-Canada," Prime Minister Stephen Harper's press secretary Dimitri Soudas, in a French interview Thursday night.

Facing a shortfall of $171-million in its budget, CBC/Radio-Canada is laying off about a tenth of its workforce, and has already cancelled several programs.
Dérome's career spans Quebec's history, post Quiet Revolution

Dérome, 65, became anchor of the Téléjournal in 1970, a position he held until December 2008.

On Wednesday, politicians at the national assembly celebrated his long broadcasting career, which spanned major events in Quebec, including the October Crisis, the election of the Parti Québécois, the 1980 and 1995 referenda and the Ice Storm.

"My colleagues and I, as our fellow citizens, have finished many nights riveted to the Téléjournal, that has marked television's history and Quebec journalism," said Yvon Vallières, president of the Quebec legislature.

"As anchor, journalist, reporter in Quebec and abroad, you have always distinguished yourself with your rigour, your passion for the craft, and your ability to simplify information. Your career left a mark at Radio-Canada where the news service developed thanks to your credibility," Vallières said in French.

Dérome said he was very touched to receive the honour, and wanted to share it with his fellow journalists.

The former anchor is a member of the Order of Canada.

Céline Galipeau replaced him as the Téléjournal's nightly anchor.

© CBC