Is this really the CBC’s official blog?

Yes, this is the official blog for the English media side of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It’s meant primarily as a blog for employees, but it’s open to the world and you’re welcome to join our discussions!

So then are you’re some kind of public-relations flak?

Nope, my name is Tod Maffin and I’m a freelance radio producer. I’ve also been somewhat active in the Canadian blogging and podcasting scene the last few years. The CBC has given me arms-length editorial independence on this blog. I can say what I want on here, and so can you. We’ve agreed that this editorial independence operates the same way a newspaper has a significant degree of autonomy within the confines of certain editorial policies.

Here’s what it means in real terms: I don’t get leaked any advance CBC information or participate in any pre-announcement strategy meetings or anything like that. Likewise, I don’t tell them in advance what gets posted here or how. They don’t get an opportunity to review or edit or veto anything. They read what I write the same time you do. I suppose if push came to shove and they told me to take something down or edit it, I would. But having been working with these folks now for a month in beta, I can’t imagine that kind of scenario. In the end, we’re all working toward opening up communication at the CBC — a good goal.

When the CBC or the CMG or any other group sends me information for publication, the choice is mine whether to publish it. If I do, my commitment to you is to clearly indicate when the content came from another source.

That said, anyone who knows me knows that I am a big believer in public broadcasting. That doesn’t necessarily mean my opinions always side with the CBC. If I think the Corporation is heading away from my perception of its mandate, I’ve said so in the past and I’ll continue to. I encourage you to agree or disagree with me on here.

But the CBC can provide you with information to post.

Yes they can. And I can choose to blog about it or not. In most cases, I will, because this is a blog about the CBC so it will probably be of interest to its readers. Just as how news from the CMG’s CBC branch would be. But regardless of whether the source is the CBC, the CMG, a colleague of mine, or anyone else, I’ll tell you what the source of the information is so you can make up your own mind. And, of course, you can add your comments about it.

Why would the CBC want to put a blog about itself up?

I think they listened to the many employees who said communication could be more direct. And the public, I always felt, wanted the CBC to have more of a human tone. We’re not a big faceless corporation, we’re a creative group of cool people and maybe this will help showcase some of what they do and what you’re doing too.

As well, there aren’t really any real-time mechanism for executives to hear directly from the audience on specific topics, shy of weekly audience-reaction reports or focus groups. Now, they can click onto a posting and read your comments any time they like. Er, maybe with a brandy or something. They might need it.

Is what you write on your blog an official CBC position?

Are you kidding? Have you seen some of the wacko ideas I have? Seriously, no. What I write is not reviewed nor approved in advance by the CBC. It’s not the CBC position at all; just my opinions. If you want an official CBC position, please contact them.

I’m from the media. I’d like to interview you about this blog.

If you’d like to speak to the CBC about this blog, please speak with a CBC communications person at 613.288.6000.