By Jeff Carter

There’s something wrong at CBC Radio, hopefully an issue that renewed investment into the Canadian institution can fix. As an avid listener for 30-odd years, tuning in morning, noon and night most days, I’ve learned much over that time about Canada and the world. It’s been my go-to place for news, commentary and ideas; an educational experience and, at times, entertaining as well. Yet of late, it’s often been with a sense of trepidation rather than anticipation that I’ve been tuning in. The tone, too often, has been one of shrill mean-spiritedness. Among the recent low points was the interview of a relative of the late Ethel Merman (1908-1984). The host, with melodramatic persistence, portrayed the actress and songstress as a racist – focusing on the lyrics of a single song from the 1930s – despite the overwhelming logic behind the relative’s argument that this was hardly the case. It’s not that the CBC coverage of issues related to racism, notably the broadcaster’s groundbreaking work concerning Canada’s indigenous peoples, is unappreciated. Yet the impression has been building that the CBC is running out of things to say about core issues it has focused on in recent years, which includes its coverage of marginalized groups like women and the LGBT/non-binary/two-spirited community. I have listened with interest and yet the coverage at times seems to have only broadened the divisions among Canadians rather than bringing them together. All too often what appears to be the accepted opinion at CBC Radio is being treated as fact and those who disagree are targeted and chastised rather than being allowed a voice. Well-considered dissenting opinion is something to be pursued, at least in a small way. The narrow focus of the CBC Radio does, of course, come with a flip side – the need to broaden its coverage. For that to happen, however, it needs money. Among the 36 Organization Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations, the average per capita funding for public broadcasting is $90. At $34 per capita, Canada ranks third-lowest on the list. Bringing Canadians together is something best exemplified on CBC Radio through the Cross-Country Checkup program (although it is also in need of more resources for research purposes before going to air). When, for instance, the program turns to subjects with a decided rural connection – like the episode concerning changes to the Canada Food Guide – an air of unpreparedness is evident, only to be addressed when well-informed listeners call in. That’s nothing new, according to Rex Murphy who, up until 2015, hosted the program. I heard Murphy speak to a gathering of Southwestern farmers in London a year or so back during which time he leveled a barrage of criticism at the CBC for its inadequate rural coverage. Afterwards, I walked up to Murphy, who appeared to sense my approach with a degree of unease, and uttered the observation, “They have their heads up their arses.” Murphy simply nodded in what I took to be agreement but that may have only been a stalling tactic to contemplate the means to escape an awkward conversation, perhaps by poking me in the eye. I stepped aside. He passed. CBC Radio does occasionally touch on things rural. Where the broadcasting services fails, however, is in fully appreciating the importance of rural communities, like the agricultural community, to the rest of the nation and its connection to the environment, climate change, immigration, and social justice. ◊