Two weeks ago today, I sent the following note to ombudsman@radio-canada.ca:

Hello:

On March 23, 1999, then Radio-Canada ombudsman Marcel Pepin released a report on the controversy involving CBC TV reporter Terry Milewski and coverage of the 1997 APEC Summit.

Would you be able to help me obtain a copy of that report.

Thanks in advance for considering my request.

Bill Doskoch

Toronto, ON

Memories of that document were stirred by Questiongate and the response of CBC publisher John Cruickshank.

Still no answer, let alone whether the ombudsman will actually provide the report. Strange behaviour for a public broadcaster.

Earlier that same day, I phoned the inaptly named "audience relations" number to seek the report. Among the things said by the individual who answered:

  • What do you want it for?
  • "You just want to make fun of the CBC"
  • You had your chance to get it nine years ago

When I pointed out the report had been deleted off the CBC website, this web expert said if the CBC kept everything that was on its servers, the world would collapse (I exaggerate for the sake of effect).

I noted that the self-serving news release issued at the time by CBC management (and which didn't even link to the report) still exists on the CBC corporate website.

While the public broadcaster says it strongly upholds the "principle of freedom of information," the context for that is it means other peoples' information. Check out this CBC PowerPoint presentation on a submission to the Access to Information Task force. On the last page, it said: "The public has ample opportunity to obtain information on the CBC."

Really? Then why the resistance to making available a report that was a publicly-released document nine years ago? I really don't get it.

I'm going to try again, this time with a written, registered letter. Maybe I'll have to go the access to information route, although the CBC notes the following:

In addition to other relevant exemptions and exclusions, you should be aware that Section 68.1 of the ATIA provides CBC/Radio-Canada with a specific exclusion for any information that is under the control of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that relates to its journalistic, creative or programming activities.

Does that apply to documents that were once public but that the CBC would now apparently prefer to see buried? We'll find out! :)