CBC fined for revealing undercover officer’s name

The CBC was fined $7,500 yesterday for being in criminal contempt of court after it posted the name of an undercover police officer on its web site. It occurred during coverage of the infamous serial murder trial of Robert (”Willie”) Pickton trial in B.C.

The officer’s name was ordered to be kept off the record by a Supreme Court judge last October. But in February, the CBC inadvertently posted transcripts of a conversation between the officer and Pickton while in jail.

The CBC apologized, saying one of its employees didn’t realize that the “operator” referred to meant an undercover officer — rather, they thought it referred to the person who transcribed the cell-plant conversation with Pickton.

While the officer’s name was published online, it was not broadcast. The transcripts were taken offline as soon as the mistake was discovered.


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One Response to “CBC fined for revealing undercover officer’s name”

    Moort Karman says:

    Sometimes this happens.
    Many years ago,when I worked for KWGN TV in Denver, one of the other stations got in contempt of court when ran tape shot in the hall of the court building. This is allowed, but visible in the images was a blackboard listing names of jurors at the trial they were reporting on.
    No fines, but a severe condemnation from the judge.