Bell pushes back against accusations surrounding LaFlamme departure

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TORONTO — Bell Media is pushing again towards accusations that CTV Nationwide Information anchor Lisa LaFlamme was ousted due to her look and that it interfered within the community’s protection of the fallout.

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Wade Oosterman, president of Bell Media, mentioned in a letter out Monday that any allegations administration breached its journalistic independence coverage in protecting the Lisa LaFlamme story are “outrageous.”

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“Simply because the termination of Lisa LaFlamme’s contract had nothing to do with age, gender or gray hair, I can categorically verify that no actions have been taken which violate journalistic independence coverage.”

Oosterman’s feedback are addressed to human rights lawyer Paul Champ, who submitted a letter to the corporate on behalf of a “giant quantity” of CTV Information journalists who raised issues concerning the circumstances round LaFlamme’s firing and whether or not they have been associated to her look.

The unnamed CTV Information journalists mentioned they imagine LaFlamme’s firing was primarily based “extra on private malice than any business-related causes,” and fear that her age could have been a prejudicial issue.

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“Her dismissal seems to be an egregious act of revenge, tainted by ageism, sexism and misogyny by the hands of a male boss,” they mentioned within the letter.

The journalists additionally mentioned they lack confidence in Michael Melling, who was vice-president of CTV Information earlier than Bell Media positioned him on go away pending a office evaluate.

Because the letter was despatched on Aug. 22, reviews have additionally surfaced about issues on how CTV Information has lined the LaFlamme story.

Oosterman mentioned Bell has a journalistic independence coverage as a safeguard for unbiased information protection, which leaves editorial choices within the arms of the vice-president liable for CTV Information and retains it exterior the management of different executives on the Bell conglomerate.

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He urged the unnamed CTV Information journalists to lift their issues straight with him, and to take part within the office evaluate being carried out by a 3rd celebration.

The journalists mentioned of their letter that together with morale being low since Melling took on the function of vice-president of CTV Information eight months in the past, skilled retaliation has additionally grow to be a big threat so it was essential to protect their identities.