The former editor-in-chief of CBC News has been hired as the managing director for Al-Jazeera Television.
Tony Burman was recently with CBC News until, according to a recent print article in Ryerson Review of Journalism, he clashed with CBC Vice-President of English services Richard Stursberg.
In an interview with InsideTheCBC.com shortly before his departure, Burman played down the idea of working for a private network:
It’s too early for me to shut any doors, but I doubt if there’s any possibility of me wanting to work for a commercial news organization in Canada. My tribal passions for CBC News are too strong. I respect CBC’s competitors but now is not the time for me to switch horses. However, there is a lot to private broadcasting than simply ‘news’ so I’m always open to stimulating, intriguing ideas and initiatives.
Burman’s job won’t be easy. A number of journalists have left Al-Jazeera recently amid claims of a revolt over working conditions. It is also facing a potential £1m discrimination case brought by the former English head of planning.
Former CBC host and journalist Avi Lewis went to the network last year to host a program about the U.S. election.
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You are right, Tony’s job won’t be easy. I hope he will turn things around a bit.
Columbia Journalism Review has this article “Dave Marash: Why I Quit” highlighting some problems at Al-Jazeera English.
Wow. Congratulations Tony!
Burman did some great things at the CBC and I’m sure he will bring the same qualities to Al-Jazeera. I watch Al-Jazeera on the web and it is an amazing news operation. If only it were available, as it should be, on Canadian cable and satellite providers.
I wonder how many CBC people will be calling Burman in the next few weeks, asking for a job. And how many he’ll actually hire…