CBSC Rules CHOI (Radio X)/Québec City Violated Code Of Ethics

Ruling

The CANADIAN BROADCAST STANDARDS COUNCIL (CBSC) has ruled that ANDRÉ ARTHUR's since-canceled midday show "ARTHUR LE MIDI" on RNC MEDIA French Talk CHOI (98,1 RADIO X)/QUÉBEC CITY violated its Code of Ethics on a FEBRUARY broadcast that "included inaccurate and misleading information about animals owned by the ANGLICAN CHURCH OF QUÉBEC" and included information gathered by a reporter who "had inappropriately used clandestine techniques."

On the FEBRUARY 19th show, ARTHUR and co-host ALEXANDRE LEBLOND said that a goat and a donkey kept by the church had been mistreated by being left outside year round with no shelter and were fed human food and styrofoam cups.  ARTHUR asked why the SOCIÉTÉ PROTECTRICE DES ANIMAUX (SPA) had not intervened, and repeated that concern on FEBRUARY 23rd after reading a response from the SPA that said the MINISTÈRE DE L’AGRICULTURE, PÊCHERIES ET ALIMENTATION (MAPAQ) has jurisdiction. 

A church representative complained to the CBSC denying the allegations and providing inspection reports from MAPAQ that supported the church's position; the church also complained that LEBLOND had used a fake name and claimed to be a student when he visited their facility.  While the station said it offered the church time on the show to respond, the CBSC said that the station's actions breached both the CBSC's Code of Ethics and the RTDNA of CANADA's Code of Ethics.

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