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Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked audio of CBC disciplinary meeting with former TV host Travis Dhanraj
A leaked audio recording of an internal CBC disciplinary meeting for a national news anchor reveals the public broadcaster's tension over its policies on journalistic standards and freedom clashing with protecting its corporate image. Travis Dhanraj, once the host of a CBC television news show called Canada Tonight with Travis Dhanraj, resigned earlier this month with fiery letters accusing the CBC of 'tokenism masquerading as diversity, problematic political coverage protocols, and the erosion of editorial independence.' His letters, one to CBC leadership and another to CBC colleagues, were made public and created controversy, including over perceived political imbalance in news coverage at the publicly funded broadcaster. Last week, Conservative Members of Parliament called for a public hearing into Dhanraj's 'damning allegations' on workplace culture and biased reporting. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. CBC has denied Dhanraj's criticisms made in his letters. More than a year before his still reverberating resignation, however, a disciplinary meeting for Dhanraj was convened by CBC shortly after he made a social media post on April 19, 2024. His post on X said: 'At a time when the public broadcaster is under increasing scrutiny and when transparency is needed.' CBC's president Catherine Tait had been asked to appear on his show. 'We wanted to discuss new budget funding, what it means for jobs & the corporation's strategic priorities ahead. Our request was declined. This is unfortunate.' At a time when the public broadcaster is under increasing scrutiny and when transparency is needed, #CanadaTonight requested an intvu w/ @PresidentCBCRC Catherine Tait. We wanted to discuss new budget funding, what it means for jobs & the corporation's strategic priorities ahead.… The disciplinary meeting preceded his removal from on-air duties for the CBC News Network show that bore his name. Dhanraj declined to comment on the recording or the meeting, referring questions to his lawyer, Kathryn Marshall. Marshall confirmed the recording National Post has is an authentic portion of a longer disciplinary meeting between Dhanraj and CBC officials. CBC did not dispute the disciplinary meeting or recording. The CBC manager speaking in the recording is identified as Andree Lau, senior director of digital publishing and streaming. Lau's LinkedIn page describes her job as overseeing the strategic and editorial direction of CBC News Network as well as other CBC news properties. In the recording she appears to equate a CBC journalist reporting something critical about the CBC with a potential breach of journalistic conflict of interest ethics, on the grounds that a CBC journalist has a personal stake in the broadcaster's success. The recording excerpt begins with Dhanraj explaining the circumstances of his post about Tait. 'The new budget funding was publicly put out in the budget on Tuesday. It was widely reported on, by not only CBC but other broadcasters. There is nothing in the tweet that is insider information,' Dhanraj says. Lau replies: 'With exception of a unionized employee criticizing their employer; that is an employee who has a personal stake in the matter whose job is part of it…. The issue is, you know, does this post meet the standards of integrity, does it meet the conflict of interest under code of conduct.' Dhanraj says: 'I firmly stand by the fact that it does.' Asks Lau: 'Do you understand the concern with this post as it relates to the principle of integrity?' Dhanraj: 'No, I really don't. I don't, and again, Andree, I find it problematic that we are in a meeting where we are discussing something that is in the interests of the corporation. So, I, I'm not seeing the separation right now between the journalism and the interest of the corporation. I see how it would be in the interest of the corporation for this tweet not to be out, but I don't see how, journalistically, it's not sound…' An unidentified union representative then asks for context on how the appearance request to Tait came about. 'I didn't watch the show that night,' he says. 'We had an editorial discussion,' Dhanraj says, 'as to whether or not now was the correct time, since there was a development, a significant development with the release of the federal budget and the new money, to put a request in for Catherine Tait. We had been discussing putting a request in for some time and we thought there was a news hook to it because of the new development….' I find it problematic that we are in a meeting where we are discussing something that is in the interests of the corporation Lau: '… What is your understanding of the protocol and considerations when CBC journalists are covering the CBC?' 'It, it's the J.S.P. statement again,' Dhanraj says, likely referencing CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. 'Clear editorial separation,' Lau says. Dhanraj: 'So those who have the interest of the corporation should not be influencing reporters.' Lau: 'Yes.' Dhanraj: 'And if that is happening, well, that kind of goes against some core fundamentals of the public broadcaster.' Lau then says there are other aspects of the JSP involved. In a sentence in which some words are unclear on the recording, she says 'the principle of integrity and the perception of who has a stake in the matter,' finishing with 'perceived impartiality because, as I mentioned, you are an employee, and you are criticizing your employer.' The Post does not have a recording of the entire meeting. Chuck Thompson, CBC's head of public affairs, said the meeting was about more than just Dhanraj's social media post, for which Dhanraj was 'never formally disciplined for.' 'The discussions in April with Mr. Dhanraj were about a range of issues outside the tweet; there was a particular emphasis on CBC News policies about conflicts of interest, violations of journalistic standards and protocols on how we report on ourselves. 'Mr. Dhanraj violated these policies and was asked about them by his manager with his union representative present. He also secretly recorded the meeting after agreeing not to,' Thompson said. Lau could not be reached for comment prior to publication. An email sent to her on Friday was returned with an automated out of office message; a detailed message to her cell phone was not responded to. A CBC official had said they would alert Lau to the Post's request. Marshall, Dhanraj's lawyer, said what is heard in the recording is 'disturbing.' 'It shows that Travis was intimidated for simply doing his job as a journalist. He was hauled into a meeting with human resources, his boss, and the union. The purpose of the meeting, I think, was to intimidate him, scare him and pressure him, making it clear to him that he's not to do that, that he is not to post anything or say anything as a journalist that could be embarrassing to the public broadcaster,' Marshall said. 'This is deeply concerning. I think it demonstrates that CBC, in that moment, was far more interested in preserving its own reputation than allowing their journalists to do their jobs.' 'It shows that the CBC corporation has a disturbing level of control over their journalists and is involved in the types of stories that the journalists are covering or not covering. I think that speaks to significant concerns of bias and a lack of objectivity within the corporation.' Thompson said late Friday that Dhanraj is still a CBC employee although currently on leave. Marshall said CBC has still not accepted Dhanraj's resignation despite him voicing his clear intent and, in fact, are still paying him. 'I want to be very clear: The CBC doesn't get to hold him hostage. This is a free country. He's allowed to resign.' Marshall said Dhanraj is pressing a human rights lawsuit against CBC over his departure. • Email: ahumphreys@ | X: AD_Humphreys Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked audio of CBC disciplinary meeting with former TV host Travis Dhanraj
A leaked audio recording of an internal CBC disciplinary meeting for a national news anchor reveals the public broadcaster's tension over its policies on journalistic standards and freedom clashing with protecting its corporate image. Article content Travis Dhanraj, once the host of a CBC television news show called Canada Tonight with Travis Dhanraj, resigned earlier this month with fiery letters accusing the CBC of 'tokenism masquerading as diversity, problematic political coverage protocols, and the erosion of editorial independence.' Article content Article content His letters, one to CBC leadership and another to CBC colleagues, were made public and created controversy, including over perceived political imbalance in news coverage at the publicly funded broadcaster. Last week, Conservative Members of Parliament called for a public hearing into Dhanraj's 'damning allegations' on workplace culture and biased reporting. Article content Article content More than a year before his still reverberating resignation, however, a disciplinary meeting for Dhanraj was convened by CBC shortly after he made a social media post on April 19, 2024. His post on X said: 'At a time when the public broadcaster is under increasing scrutiny and when transparency is needed.' CBC's president Catherine Tait had been asked to appear on his show. 'We wanted to discuss new budget funding, what it means for jobs & the corporation's strategic priorities ahead. Our request was declined. This is unfortunate.' Article content At a time when the public broadcaster is under increasing scrutiny and when transparency is needed, #CanadaTonight requested an intvu w/ @PresidentCBCRC Catherine Tait. We wanted to discuss new budget funding, what it means for jobs & the corporation's strategic priorities ahead.… — Travis Dhanraj (@Travisdhanraj) April 19, 2024 Article content Article content The disciplinary meeting preceded his removal from on-air duties for the CBC News Network show that bore his name. Article content Article content Dhanraj declined to comment on the recording or the meeting, referring questions to his lawyer, Kathryn Marshall. Marshall confirmed the recording National Post has is an authentic portion of a longer disciplinary meeting between Dhanraj and CBC officials. Article content The CBC manager speaking in the recording is identified as Andree Lau, senior director of digital publishing and streaming. Lau's LinkedIn page describes her job as overseeing the strategic and editorial direction of CBC News Network as well as other CBC news properties. Article content In the recording she appears to equate a CBC journalist reporting something critical about the CBC with a potential breach of journalistic conflict of interest ethics, on the grounds that a CBC journalist has a personal stake in the broadcaster's success.
Vancouver Sun
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Conservatives call for investigation into CBC after journalist resigns over 'performative diversity, tokenism'
The Conservative party is calling for a parliamentary committee to investigate the CBC after journalist Travis Dhanraj resigned over the public broadcaster's alleged 'performative diversity, tokenism, a system designed to elevate certain voices and diminish others.' Dhanraj was the host of Canada Tonight: With Travis Dhanraj on CBC. But he resigned on Monday, involuntarily, he says, because the CBC 'has made it impossible for me to continue my work with integrity.' 'I have been systematically sidelined, retaliated against, and denied the editorial access and institutional support necessary to fulfill my public service role,' he wrote in his resignation letter. 'I stayed as long as I could, but CBC leadership left me with no reasonable path forward.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. On Wednesday, Rachel Thomas, an Alberta Conservative member of Parliament, wrote a letter to the chair of the House of Commons standing committee on Canadian heritage, saying that Dhanraj's claims have 'reignited concerns about the organization's workplace culture.' The letter calls on the chair, Ontario Liberal MP Lisa Hepfner, to recall the committee. 'It is critical that we hear testimony from Mr. Dhanraj, CBC executives and Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Steven Guilbeault,' the letter states. CBC has denied Dhanraj's allegations. 'CBC categorically rejects the accusations made about CBC News, our staff and management,' Kerry Kelly, a CBC spokesperson, said in an email. On Wednesday, National Post reported that Dhanraj is still considered an employee by CBC, although he is on leave. 'CBC is refusing to accept his resignation,' Kathryn Marshall, Dhanraj's lawyer, told National Post , in an emailed statement. 'This refusal is indicative of their abusive work culture. However, to be clear, Travis has resigned, albeit involuntarily. We intend to commence a human rights lawsuit.' Marshall alleged earlier this week that Dhanraj had been discouraged from booking 'Conservative voices' on his show. Dhanraj had been on leave last July but returned to full-time hours last December. At that point, Marshall said, he was pressured to sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding a tweet he posted in April 2024 about former CBC president Catherine Tait declining an interview request for his show. 'Within basically the first week of his return he was immediately retaliated against by CBC for not signing the NDA,' Marshall said. 'He was, at that point, permanently removed as the host of Canada Tonight, and his salary got slashed, and it was evident at that point that he had no future or career at the CBC.' In his resignation letter, Dhanraj said the experience at CBC has 'taken a real toll — on my health, my career, and my trust in an institution I once believed I could help reform from within.' 'But the greater harm is to the public: a broadcaster that no longer lives up to its mandate, a culture that resists accountability, and a system that punishes those who dare to challenge it.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
National Post
09-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Julia Malott: I am the wrong kind of transwoman for CBC. Travis Dhanraj made me a regular
Article content The dialogue struck a chord with the audience. By the next day, CBC had clipped and promoted the debate as a featured article across its digital platform. The reach was substantial. For weeks afterward, I was identified by strangers at shopping centres and gas stations (One perk of being transgender in media: memorable notoriety). Article content I was invited to join roster as a recurring panelist on Canada Tonight. Article content But inside the show's production, the cracks were already forming. Travis' willingness to engage a broader spectrum of viewpoints had not gone unnoticed by his superiors — and not in a good way. Comments in passing from Travis and his team revealed a not-yet public tension brewing between Travis and CBC leadership. The question wasn't whether Canada Tonight could reflect a divided county — it was whether the CBC was willing to let it. Article content Perhaps CBC brass had internal data that suggested Travis' approach was dragging down ratings and viewership. If that was true, it wouldn't be all that surprising. After all, the CBC's monolithic editorial stance has spent years alienating much of its potential audience — the very Canadians who might have welcomed the diversity of thought Travis finally introduced to their primetime lineup. Article content Article content During my months contributing to Canada Tonight, I saw up close the seriousness, curiosity, and care Travis and his team brought to every segment. One of my favourite preparation rituals was sparring — good naturedly — with the show's makeup artist as a form of pre-tape rehearsal before going on air. The whole production carried a spirit of thoughtful engagement. Article content That spirit, it seems, has now been extinguished. Article content
Vancouver Sun
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Travis Dhanraj is 'still an employee although he is currently on leave,' CBC says
Despite journalist Travis Dhanraj's very public resignation from CBC, the national broadcaster says that he is an employee. He is 'still an employee although he is currently on leave,' said CBC's head of public affairs Chuck Thompson to National Post via email on Wednesday morning. Dhanraj's lawyer Kathryn Marshall told National Post that 'CBC is refusing to accept his resignation.' 'This refusal is indicative of their abusive work culture However, to be clear, Travis has resigned, albeit involuntarily. We intend to commence a human rights lawsuit,' she said in an emailed statement. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. In a letter to CBC leadership on Monday, Dhanraj said he felt that he had to step down because CBC made it impossible for him to continue his work with integrity. He called out the broadcaster for its 'performative diversity, tokenism, a system designed to elevate certain voices and diminish others.' He said he was denied access to 'key newsmakers,' and described an atmosphere where barriers were in place for some, while others were empowered. 'When I questioned these imbalances, I was met with silence, resistance, and eventually, retaliation. I was fighting for balance and accused of being on a 'crusade,'' he wrote. CBC has denied Dhanraj's allegations. The broadcaster 'categorically rejects' the claims, CBC spokesperson Kerry Kelly said in an emailed statement to National Post on Monday. In February, CBC confirmed to publication Broadcast Dialogue that Dhanraj was 'on a leave,' as speculation swirled online after the time slot of the television show he hosted, Canada Tonight, was replaced with another show. On Monday, Dhanraj shared a note with his followers on social media. Click here to read a note directly from me: 'The dream that turned into a nightmare,' he wrote. He said his resignation was not just about him. It was about CBC being 'a public institution' that is 'supposed to serve' Canadians. 'It's about voices being sidelined, hard truths avoided, and the public being left in the dark about what's really happening inside their national broadcaster,' he wrote. 'I have no doubt there will be efforts to discredit me — to paint me as bitter or disgruntled. That's what happens when you challenge power.' Dhanraj's journalism career spans 20 years. He was a reporter for CBC News in Edmonton and Toronto before continuing on to CP24, Global News and CTV News. In 2021, he returned to CBC as a senior parliamentary reporter. He eventually ended up as the host for CBC's Marketplace and Canada Tonight. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
