Check It Out: Unity and integrity - a winning combo
By Joan Janzen
A philosopher told his followers, “There are two things in life that matter above all else. 1. Integrity. If you made a promise, carry it out, even if it bankrupts you, cripples you, or kills you. The other thing is common sense, like not making that promise!”
When the news broke about the passing of Queen Elizabeth, Canada’s CityNews network began looking for someone with integrity to cover one of the biggest stories of a lifetime. “Who do we send to London?” the broadcaster asked. He continued to announce that they had sent Lisa LaFlamme to London to report on the funeral, the transition, and the reaction of the public in Great Britain and around the world. “It needed to be covered by someone you can trust. You need a voice you can trust, someone who can tell the story like no one else.”
Why was LaFlamme free to accept this offer? Earlier this summer she relayed a message on social media explaining her circumstances. “On June 29 I was informed that Bell Media made a quote ‘business decision’ to end my contract, bringing to a sudden close, my long career with CTV News. I was blind sided and still am shocked and saddened by Bell Media’s decision. I was also asked to keep it confidential from my colleagues and the public until the specifics of my exit could be resolved,” LaFlamme explained.
The President of the Canadian Assoc. of Journalists pushed back on the decision, saying their association’s currency is “trust, truth and transparency”, all of which appeared to be lacking in this instance.
CTV advised it was a business decision, based on changing viewer habits. It was also reported Richard Grey, the acting vice-president of CTV News instructed journalists not to include images of the now grey-haired La-Flamme. It was a shocking end to her 35 years of award-winning service.
“I guess this is my sign off from CTV,” she said. “While it is crushing to be leaving CTV National News in the manner that is not my choice, please know reporting to you has been the greatest honour of my life.” The absence of any official send-off by CTV was glaringly obvious.
“I am forever grateful to you, such loyal viewers for sharing in the belief that news delivered with integrity and truth strengthens our democracy,” she said.
The push back CTV’s decision received, was evidence of a lack of unity in their ranks. As a result, they lost a journalist who delivered news with integrity.
Recently MP Candace Bergen encouraged a united Conservative Party in her departure speech last week. “Live, talk and walk unity. Even when you disagree; actually, especially when you disagree,” she said. She encouraged unity while still holding different views and having disagreements. “Unity, not uniformity,” she concluded.
A quote in Everyday Faith magazine helped to explain the importance of unity. “Community is messy and hard, but it is also beautiful and life giving. The fight will always be worth it. We need each other and we are truly better together.”
Albert Einstein once said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” As one of the most influential physicists of all time, his words carry weight.
CTV News had the best, a broadcaster with integrity. But without unity in their ranks, a few people at the top made the decision to remove her.
Meanwhile, broadcasters at CityNews said, “We’re honoured to call her (LaFlamme) colleague for as long as we can. We all know her reputation. She is one of the best the country has ever seen.”
No matter how often people of integrity are pushed down, they will always rise to the top. Lisa LaFlamme emphasized an important goal ... “news delivered with integrity and truth strengthens our democracy”. And Candace Bergen provided the key to ensuring that integrity continues. “Live, talk and walk unity, even when you disagree. Actually especially when you disagree,” she explained. “Unity, not uniformity.”