So, welcome to Day One of the integrated CBC! How’s it going so far?
To recap: Yesterday, CBC president Robert Rabinovitch announced that effective immediately, all its English-language services would be integrated under Richard Stursberg, who takes the new position of executive vice-president, English services.
There followed two internal “town hall” sessions (one a mere 23 minutes after the announcement was sent out) to discuss the changes. [Note: If you missed them, CBC employees can call the number included on the e-mail to hear an "instant replay" recording of either town hall session, available until Monday afternoon.]
Then at 6:00 last night, Richard Stursberg and Jennifer McGuire (who is now executive director of CBC Radio) sent a note to staff assuring that the move is about keeping up with technology, and does not signal a change in direction. Special emphasis was put on CBC Radio, whose concerns took up a large part of the town hall sessions.
Our goal has not and will not change - to deliver a public broadcasting service that reflects the values and aspirations of Canadians. Through innovative programming and continuous renewal, we are delivering high quality programming that reaches a broad audience. We have turned a corner and in many respects, Radio has led the way. It makes perfect sense then, that the plan for Radio is continuity and stability.
Both executives clearly repeated that point. McGuire led the 1:00 session by telling her staff that although the news “may seem a bit unsettling”, they should be assured that “when you wake up tomorrow, nothing’s changed.” Stursberg told those present that CBC Radio is going in “absolutely the right direction” and his goal is to “get you there further and faster.”
A similar service integration was undertaken at Radio-Canada in 2005. Andy Barrie, who hosted the town hall, reminded listeners that CBC was once integrated under Peter Herrndorf, who now sits on the board of directors that approved the changes on Wednesday. And CBC News integration has been happening for years.
So, what does it all mean?
In the short term, it doesn’t appear to mean major staffing changes (though last month’s announced newsroom integration at BBC could result in 2,500 job cuts.) Anonymous management blogger Ouimet thinks it makes sense, structurally, and the next step should be an English-French integration. In an article for Playback, Ian Morrison says the changes could “downgrade the independence” of CBC Radio, while CMG head Lise Lareau worries that Stursberg is “not seen as a radio guy and now he’s in charge of their lives.” According to the Globe, it means more Jian.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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It’s been quite a week in the history of the CBC: a call for a new mandate, new TV shows in 2008 and a new “structure”. Considering all of the events, it’s difficult to get a handle on what it all means, so let’s stick with yesterday’s announcement.
The feeling I got after talking to colleagues and listening to the first Town Hall conference, is one of alienation. Changes at the very top of management that seem removed philosophically from the staff. Why? Timing.
The announcement of the structural change arrived in my in-box at 12:23 PM.
The announcement of the Town Hall for discussion arrived at 12:37PM.
The staff, therefore, only had 14 minutes to read and consider the implications of this integrated structural change. That’s not fair.
After hearing the town hall discussion, featuring Richard Stursberg, I could only think of Arthur Miller’s famous line from Death of a Salesman “he’s liked but he’s not well liked”. Excellent questions were asked but not fully answered, expecially regarding resources to aid in this restructuring.
That said, while I agree that CBC should make our content available to the user on every platform, a few questions remain:
1. With all due respect, why is Mr. Stursberg the best candidate for the job?
2. Why was this announcement so poorly timed?
3. Many of the questions asked had to do with a need to hire more people to help existing departments cope with the demands of our audience and the changing technoloy. If CBC doesn’t have enough money, what specific plans are there to finance this transition?
It would be very nice to hear specific answers to these questions.
Since this announcement, “broadcasting watchdogs ” have made it known that they intend to keep an eye on CBC Radio now, and will report on any negative changes made to our national treasure. Where have they been for the last year?!