The National in Conversation tackles bias, community coverage and getting it right
Panel discussion held in London, Ont., with CBC journalists
Some of CBC's top journalists shared anecdotes and tips about everything from getting the story right in the digital age to landing a job as a young reporter, during a panel discussion in London, Ont.
As part of The National in Conversation series, a cross-country tour aimed at pulling back the curtain on journalism today, the panel of six with moderator Peter Mansbridge took questions about covering communities from a live audience and online.
At a time when media bias is a hot topic, one of the first questions came from a young person named Jasmine, who asked how reporters tell a story when they don't agree with the views of those involved.
"We are human," said Washington correspondent Paul Hunter. "But it is my job to represent you and everyone in this country. It's remarkable how you can set aside your feelings because you're doing your job."
Making decisions in the field
With several war correspondents on stage, as well as hosts who know the pressures of deadlines, an online question from Scotland piqued the interest of the panel and was met with a decisive answer from CBC's chief correspondent.
"In a live situation," Jacob from Glasgow wrote, "how does the reporter decide what to report and what to hold back?"
"No one ever remembers who was first," Mansbridge said. "Everyone remembers who was wrong."
The other panellists said the CBC is more transparent than ever, telling the audience if a story is unconfirmed or acknowledging in a live situation that "we don't know yet but are working to find out."
Standing out in a crowd
There were many stories told about working in the field, some leading to laughs and others leaving the audience breathlessly silent.
Senior correspondent Susan Ormiston recounted how she wore a red dress at an event where Russian President Vladimir Putin was taking questions from reporters, if only to stand out among the grey clothing worn by her Russian counterparts.
"Don't tell anyone, but it worked and I got a question," Ormiston said with a chuckle.
On a more serious note were stories about working in communities where tragedy had struck, including a stint Hunter spent in Baltimore following the death of Freddy Gray.
"It was a good lesson in walking away from the satellite trucks and other journalists. I spoke to people no one had ever listened to before," he said.
Local news matters
The conversation followed an announcement that CBC London will be opening its new digital station June 12 with a morning and afternoon show, as well as newscasts.
It prompted a question about the future of local news. Mansbridge noted that newspapers and media outlets across the country have been reduced dramatically.
"It's the same story across the country, and we're trying to up the game. We want CBC London to be the start."