CTV Atlantic reponds to Dion interview criticism

Letter to the Editor:
 
On Thursday, October 9th CTV Atlantic interviewed Liberal leader Stephane Dion. This was a very timely interview given M. Dion had been critical of Mr. Harper for inaction during this time of economic crisis. CTV Atlantic anchor Steve Murphy started the interview by asking M. Dion: “If you were Prime Minister now, what would you have done about the economy and this crisis that Mr. Harper has not done?”  M. Dion struggled with the question and asked to start again. While some broadcasters have indicated that re-starts are commonplace in interviews with politicians, Mr. Murphy’s daily interviews on CTV Atlantic are almost always live and if not live, are never edited. But seeing that M. Dion was in obvious distress, Mr. Murphy agreed to start again. After two more attempts and an intervention by M. Dion’s assistant to help explain the question, the interview proceeded.
 
With one hour to go before the start of our 6:00 p.m. newscast, the tapes arrived back at our station. Given the unprecedented nature of the interview, the tapes were reviewed by senior regional editors including Jay Witherbee, Director of News for CTV Atlantic and national editors including Robert Hurst, President of CTV News. Their review considered whether or not there was a problem with the phrasing of the question, whether M. Dion did not understand the question or simply could not or would not answer the question. After a great deal of deliberation, CTV News decided this footage was newsworthy and ran it in its entirety so that viewers could decide for themselves.
 
Public reaction to this decision has been influenced by misconceptions and inaccuracies. Steve Murphy is being attacked for what was a CTV News decision, not a decision made by him personally. Contrary to widely circulated reports, Steve Murphy did not make a promise to M. Dion to not broadcast the false starts, nor was there a commitment to M. Dion or representatives of the Liberal Party that what happened before or after the interview was “off the record.”
 
The decision to air the interview was made by CTV News and we stand by that decision. Mr. Murphy conducted himself professionally, in a non-partisan manner and with the respect and sensitivity he has become known for in the Maritimes. The personal attacks against Mr. Murphy’s character and integrity are entirely without merit.
 
 
Michael Elgie
Vice President and General Manager
CTV Atlantic