A TV story about Dove’s “Keep the Grey” campaign that was scheduled to air Wednesday was not aired because management ordered images or videos of LaFlamme to be removed, according to three CTV sources who spoke to CBC News on the condition that they not would have been named because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Dove said the campaign was launched in response to the widespread national debate about gray hair and age in the workplace. The company did not directly mention LaFlamme, but many linked the campaign to her ouster as lead anchor at CTV National News. There have been recent media reports that her dismissal may be linked to her decision to stop dying her hair during the pandemic. Sources said Richard Gray, Bell Media’s eastern regional director, was behind the decision to remove images or video of LaFlamme from the piece. Gray was recently appointed to replace Michael Melling as associate vice president of news. The company announced Friday that Melling has gone on leave from the job. “If this passes – and is allowed to pass – what happens next time?” CAJ president Brent Jolly said in an interview with CBC News. “At what point does the issue of editorial independence come into question? This is not a legal issue. It is an issue of shaping the focus and character of the story.”
The administration’s comments on the story crossed the line, sources say
A source at CTV said it’s not unusual for management to comment on stories, “but there was concern that journalistic and editorial independence was violated.” In the end, the story didn’t make it to TV. “The newsroom eventually pushed back against those restrictions,” Jolly said. Another source at CTV said the employees discussed their editorial concerns at a team meeting involving national editors, writers, producers and reporters on Thursday. “It was very confusing. Up until that time, Richard Gray had nothing to do with the national show,” they said. “We felt as a group that our credibility was at risk because we were being prevented from reporting on an issue … that is noteworthy. It was the biggest news story in Canada. And we couldn’t cover it.” They went on to say: “We felt gagged and scared.” WATCHES | LaFlamme discusses the end of her tenure with CTV News:
CTV National News anchor Lisa LaFlamme announces she’s been let go
LaFlamme said she was “blindsided” as Bell Media ended her contract after more than 30 years. But when more companies, including Wendy’s and Sports Illustrated, showed their support for LaFlamme by unveiling similar marketing campaigns, the story was picked up again by reporters at CTV. This time it ran with images and quotes from LaFlamme and was retweeted by many of the company’s journalists. A Bell Media spokesperson said in a statement to CBC News on Friday that all editorial decisions, including news related to LaFlamme’s departure, have been made by CTV News editorial leaders. “Bell Media and CTV News are committed to upholding the principles of journalistic independence and integrity under all circumstances and at all times, without exception,” the spokesperson said. Jolley said CTV reporters approached his organization to help advocate on their behalf because they are non-union and felt unsupported. “People can’t talk in the traditional way,” he said.
CTV exec takes leave following fallout from LaFlamme’s departure
According to an internal Bell Media memo released Friday, Melling had decided to take time off from his current role to spend time with his family. The memo was signed by Bell Media senior vice president Karine Moses. But in another statement released the same day, Bell President and CEO Mirko Bibic said Melling was on leave “pending the outcome of his [a] workplace review’. Michael Melling, left, went on leave from his role as head of CTV News after LaFlamme’s sudden departure from the network’s newscast caused an uproar. (Michael Melling/Linkedin, George Pimentel/The Canadian Press) Melling faced a wave of criticism for LaFlamme’s abrupt firing from CTV, which prompted allegations of sexism and ageism. LaFlamme said she was “blindsided” when Bell Media ended its contract with CTV National News after more than 30 years. The company said the move was a “business decision” that will move the lead news anchor role in “a different direction.” But last week, Bell Media said LaFlamme’s firing would be subject to an independent review.
CTV reporters express concerns in a letter
In an introductory letter to Bibic, Bell’s board of directors and Bell President Wade Oosterman dated Aug. 22, human rights attorney Paul Champ wrote that his company had been approached by a group of CTV News reporters who had serious concerns about LaFlamme’s firing and “the toxic work culture that has developed at CTV over the past eight months.” “These respected journalists are concerned about derogatory comments and adverse treatment in the workplace, with intimidation and retaliation a common response to anyone who questions the decision-making or procedures of the new vice president of CTV News. [Michael Melling].” READ | Letter to BCE president from attorney about concerns to CTV News: In a separate letter to Bibic and Bell’s board, anonymous CTV reporters wrote that they felt it necessary to shield their identities because professional retaliation had become a significant risk at the news division over the past eight months. Melling’s appointment as head of CTV’s news division was announced in January. In their letter, staff wrote that they were deeply troubled by Melling’s lack of experience in national and international news and reports of “inappropriate and offensive” comments he made about LaFlamme’s appearance. The reporters said they believed CTV’s decision to part ways with LaFlamme “was based more on personal malice than any business reason.” They went on to say her dismissal was “tainted by ageism, sexism and misogyny at the hands of a male boss”. READ | Letter to BCE president and board from anonymous CTV News reporters: But Bibic denies it. “The narrative was that Lisa’s age, gender or gray hair played a role in the decision. I’m satisfied that’s not the case and wanted to make sure you heard that from me,” she wrote in a LinkedIn post. “Gone are the days of viewers waiting until 11pm to get their news. While some may resist the change, it is necessary and we must face it.” Bibic also said Melling was on leave pending the outcome of a workplace review. The reporters asked Bell executives and board members to respond to their letter by August 29.
