Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 14/99) - Any investigations into CBC wrong-doing is to be conducted by CBC themselves, according to a statement from Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps.

That has some people asking, who is policing the police?

In early April, Frances Widdowson levelled serious conduct and conflict of interest charges against CBC North and its regional director, Marie Wilson, with the Canadian Heritage ministry.

A statement sent on Copp's behalf by her senior policy advisor, Robert Fry, stated it's not their problem.

"The honourable Sheila Copps has no legislative authority to become involved in this matter," Fry's letter stated. "As an autonomous Crown corporation, (CBC) is guaranteed journalistic, creative and programming independence under the Broadcasting Act."

Widdowson's allegations range from charging that CBC ran a favourable video of Jack Anawak the day before he announced he was running for premier of Nunavut, to CBC airing government produced videos without mentioning their source.

She also said that because RWED minister Stephen Kakfwi was married to Wilson, there was a conflict of interest.

She backed her claims with conversations she had with CBC acquaintances, E-mail and anonymous Internet discussions. When informed of the complaint, CBC conducted an internal investigation and exonerated Wilson. "Ms Widdowson's allegations were based on what she herself admits are "suspicions" with "no evidence," based on "anonymous charges." Nevertheless, we addressed her concerns with due diligence, as we would any matters raised by a member of the public," CBC Radio vice-president, Alex Frame, said in a letter sent to the Yellowknifer.

"Our review found that the allegations were not founded in fact, that there has been no unwarranted managerial interference in CBC North journalism, and that (Marie Wilson) has performed her duties in a manner consistent with the highest standards of CBC policies and practices."

Widdowson, who now resides in Toronto, said her only interest in this matter is to find out the truth.

"My larger purpose is to get accountability in the North. For Mr. Frame just to write it off as sour grapes from a couple of malcontents does a disservice to everyone in the North."

She said even after all the setbacks, she's not willing to stop her own investigation and, she added, there are many employees of CBC North that would welcome an unbiased enquiry.

"I don't want to go back to Alex Frame because I think there is a certain amount of conflict of interest having CBC investigate CBC," Widdowson said.

"What I want Sheila Copps to do or the government of Canada to do, is appoint an independent body to do a full investigation of CBC North. That means interviewing all the journalists and all the producers and asking them what is going on. I think that's the only thing that's going to bring forth any results in terms of what's been happening."