The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) blames Radio-Canada for its use of the n-word. The federal agency accuses the Crown corporation of having unduly offended its audience during a radio interview.
On August 17, 2020, Annie Desrochers, the host of the 15-18, talks on the air with columnist Simon Jodoin. Their discussion focuses on the debate of the moment, the n-word uttered by a professor from Laval University, which earned him a suspension. On four occasions, the two interlocutors pronounce the title of the controversial book: white niggers of americaby Pierre Vallières.
The repetition of the hated word provokes the ire of some listeners, who decide to file a complaint. After deliberation, the CRTC ruled in their favour. Radio-Canada “failed to exercise sufficient caution and vigilance in its handling of the remarks, which may have had a detrimental effect on its audience, in particular the black community”, indicates the decision published on Wednesday. .
In addition, the public broadcaster “has not contributed to strengthening the cultural and social fabric as well as to reflecting the multicultural and multiracial nature of Canadian society”, judges the CRTC.
Radio-Canada is therefore ordered to provide “public written apologies to the complainant”, to write a report in order to “better deal with a similar subject in the future” and to include henceforth a “clear warning in the audience at the beginning of the program segment”.
In short, the CRTC requires that the Crown corporation find a way to “mitigate the impact” of the prohibited word.
No right not to be offended
Some members of the federal body, however, reject these conclusions. Vice-President Caroline J. Simard argues that this “majority decision departs” from Supreme Court judgments which confirm “that there is no protection of a right not to be offended in Canada” .
She also partly explains this verdict by a misunderstanding. “This decision is based on the reason that the use of the n-word included in this title has evolved in the French-speaking world in such a way that it deserves the same treatment as that reserved in the rest of the country in the English language. »
Caroline J. Simard also criticizes her colleagues for having “disregarded the professional tone with which the host and columnist handled this delicate issue”.
What’s more, in the days following the interview, Radio-Canada broached the subject through the voices of several prominent members of Quebec’s black community. “Subject to several nuances, these people advocated an open exchange of ideas,” notes Ms.me Simard.
Councilor Joanne T. Levy also opposes the judgment. She believes that “the decision will have unintended consequences that will lead to a kind of willful journalistic omission, silence discussion and encourage censorship.”
Radio-Canada spokesperson Marc Pichette said he wanted to “take the time necessary to thoroughly study the decision rendered by the CRTC and the follow-up [Radio-Canada] intends to bring to it”.