Exit Interview: Tony Burman
1. Why are you leaving? (No, really… why?)
I’m leaving because it feels like the right time to leave. I don’t feel stale yet but that has recently been a fear of mine. Seven and a half years is a long time. This job is too demanding, and important, to risk that. Events since 2000-01 have been challenging in all sorts of ways – from the aftershocks of September 11 to the pressures of integrating the CBC News operations. What this job needs now is someone to commit for several years in the future. After nearly eight years serving in this role, I concluded that this isn’t me.
2. What are your immediate (i.e. next 12 months) plans?
I’m very excited about the future. I have as much energy, enthusiasm and ideas that I’ve ever had. And I’m open to new directions. I have some possibilities already but I’m in no hurry to make a decision. I want to spend the summer reading, decompressing and recharging my batteries. I’ll know more in September.
3. Would you ever consider working for a private broadcaster?
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.
4. Is the current trend toward citizen journalism (blogging, etc.) generally good or bad for the practice of journalism?
I think the trend is generally good – in fact, very good. More power to the audiences is a good thing, in my view. ‘Citizen journalism’ provides a range of perspectives – and genuine diversity – that would otherwise be missing. Over time, readers are becoming discriminating between what is meaningful and what is not. And let’s never forget there is already much in the so-called mainstream media that is absolute nonsense.
5. Ten years from now, how do you think CBC News will be different, both on-air and online?
I think we are seeing the shape of it now. CBC News will be everywhere. It will be on devices and in new media services that have yet to be invented. I expect our coverage strategies will be more seamless from ‘platform to platform’ than they are now. With new technology and more efficient news gathering, we’ll have more ‘pocket bureaus’ throughout under-served parts of Canada and in countries we now rarerly hear from. And more than other news organizations in Canada, I think we’ll see CBC’s evolving relationship with its audiences turn into a genuine ‘partnership’ that will expand the range and depth of CBC’s content.
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I wish Burman would write a book, and share his life and mind with the world, for the sake of the art of journalism.
Would you have need of a ghost writer perhaps, someone to help keep perspective?
And to prevent any of your non … have to be careful here, Tod is watching.
You still have so much to offer, Mr. Burman.
Not to the CBC, but to young, ignorant, meek journalism students, who need to be set on the right path.
Ottawa is beautiful in the summer if you’d care for Carleton U.
And McGill, well, the name alone will more than enhance your reputation.
I’d like to see a proper exit interview with Mansbridge One on One.
And perhaps I could help here too, and write the questions.