In the memo, Karine Moses, senior vice president of content and news development, said Melling “has decided to step down from his current role immediately to spend time with his family.” Story continues below ad “His decision reflects our shared desire to support the newsroom and do our best to help the team overcome the current circumstances and focus on delivering the stories that matter to Canadians,” the memo said.
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Following the internal memo, Mirko Bibic, president and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada, released a statement online saying Melling’s leave was not voluntary. “Michael is on leave with immediate effect pending the outcome of the ongoing workplace examination,” he said. “To address concerns raised about the working environment in the newsroom, we have launched an independent review that includes confidential interviews with all newsroom employees who choose to participate. Any necessary changes that become apparent will be implemented quickly to ensure a respectful, unified workplace.” Melling, the former general manager of CTV News Toronto, CP24 and BNN Bloomberg, joined Bell Media in 2003. The news comes just weeks after LaFlamme, the longtime CTV National News anchor, announced she would be leaving the network. Bell Media said at the time that the move was a “business decision”. Moses said Richard Gray, who is currently the network’s eastern regional general manager, will step in as associate vice president of news. Story continues below ad “Working with Richard, we will keep the team informed of next steps as we move forward,” he said. “I want to thank everyone for your continued focus over the past two weeks to deliver the important stories Canadians rely on from this strong team.” Trending Stories
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Read more: Lisa LaFlamme removed as CTV National News anchor: ‘I was blindsided’
LaFlamme said she was “blindsided” when she saw her contract end after 35 years. Although announced on August 15th, he was informed of the move on June 29th. In a video on social media, LaFlamme thanked viewers and colleagues for their “unwavering support,” acknowledging that it would likely be her official departure from CTV. Moses, who announced Melling’s leave, previously said LaFlamme turned down the chance to say goodbye on air. “At 58, I still thought I would have a lot more time to tell more of the stories that affect our daily lives,” he said in the video. “Instead, I leave CTV humbled by the people who believed in me to tell their story.” Bibic also commented on LaFlamme’s departure in his statement, saying “there is no doubt that Lisa LaFlamme has made a significant contribution to Canadian current affairs for three decades.” Story continues below ad “The narrative was that Lisa’s age, gender or gray hair played into the decision. I’m pleased that’s not the case and I wanted to make sure you heard that from me,” Bibic’s statement said. “While I would like to say more about Bell Media’s decision, we are bound by a mutual separation agreement negotiated with Lisa, which we will continue to honor.” Bibic said broadcasting in Canada is changing, noting that “Bell Media must adapt or be left behind.” “In an environment of declining ratings and global online platforms, we cannot continue to rely on traditional broadcasting,” he said. “While some may resist change, it is necessary and we must face it.” Bell Media said Omar Sachedina will replace LaFlamme. He will move into the role on September 5. He joined the network in 2009 and is currently the national affairs correspondent for CTV News. Amid criticism following LaFlamme’s departure, Bell Media announced it will launch a workplace review conducted by an independent party in the coming weeks. On August 19, the company said it “regrets” the way it handled LaFlamme’s departure in a statement, noting that it “may have left viewers with the wrong impression.” “At a news organization, changing the anchor desk is always a difficult decision. We knew that many viewers and members of the CTV family would be disappointed that Lisa LaFlamme would be leaving her position,” the Bell Media statement said. Story continues below ad Since then, the firing has raised questions among those watching the media about whether sexism and ageism were involved. Companies, including Wendy’s, took to social media to support LaFlamme. The fast food chain changed its profile picture on its Canadian Twitter account, changing its mascot gray hair to the usual bright red. Bell Media said it takes discrimination allegations “very seriously”. Last week, Melling told staff he had no intention of speaking publicly or participating in media interviews about the recent events, saying unnamed sources were spreading information that was “said without context or manipulated.” — With files from Hannah Jackson of Global News and The Canadian Press © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
