Columnist Suspended From CBC's 'Q' After Plagiarism Allegations Surface

Wente

CBC RADIO ONE has suspended THE GLOBE AND MAIL columnist MARGARET WENTE as a panelist on the show "Q" while it investigates plagiarism allegations against her.  WENTE has been a regular on the show's "media panel" for the last three years.

In a statement posted on the show's blog, the network said, "The job of Q's biweekly media panel is to scrutinize media coverage, tactics, standards and ethics. Given that mandate, we have regretfully decided to suspend our regular freelance relationship with Ms. WENTE on this panel.

"GLOBE AND MAIL Editor JOHN STACKHOUSE confirmed in the paper that Ms. WENTE faces disciplinary action over a 2009 newspaper column because 'the journalism in this instance did not meet the standards of THE GLOBE AND MAIL, in terms of sourcing, use of quotation marks and reasonable credit for the work of others.'  We are continuing to follow details as they emerge, but we can confirm at this time that Ms. WENTE will not be appearing on the Q media panel."

A blogger raised questions about a 2009 column in which quotes were similar to passages in columns in FOOD CHEMICAL NEWS and the OTTAWA CITIZEN.  WENTE has maintained that "there was no intent to deceive" and "If I were writing that column again today, I would quote and attribute more carefully."

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