The Canadian Association of Journalists is disappointed that CBC News chose not to air a documentary Nov. 6, in the wake of last-minute complaints from Chinese officials.
 "The CAJ is concerned the CBC has sent a message of self-censorship by pulling a previously aired and carefully vetted documentary just as it was about to be broadcast," said CAJ president Mary Agnes Welch.
The CBC had already aired Beyond the Red Wall this spring and Radio-Canada aired a French-dubbed version last month, nearly a year after getting a green light from CBC lawyers and senior editors.
The report documents the experience of a Canadian member of the spiritual movement Falun Gong, which is outlawed in China.
CBC spokesman Jeff Keay confirmed that after receiving calls from China's embassy in Ottawa and its consulate in Toronto, the independent public broadcaster decided to pull the documentary from its lineup. He explained the CBC is to review the content "to make sure it's a good, solid project."
Keay noted that the Chinese government is concerned about articles in the Chinese-language press, which claim the CBC supports Falun Gong.
He added that political upheaval in Pakistan also led the CBC to withdraw the broadcast by Toronto documentarian Peter Rowe and re-air a report on Pakistan's president,Pervez Musharraf.
The CAJ regards editorial independence as a cornerstone of good journalism and notes its importance in a statement of principles. The document urges journalists to resist the influence of private and public interests such as governments. The CAJ is developing a detailed position paper about editorial independence.
 Canadian Association of Journalists
 Editors note - The CBC plans to air the film on Nov 20.Peter Rowe, the film's independent director and producer, says the last-minute changes being made will not dilute the film's message.

Re: BC beauties go green
October 17 2007
 
Beauty pageants denigrate women and should not get the publicity that is being accorded to them. It does not matter how you disguise them, be it for environmental purposes or otherwise, it's still a cattle show for men.

Re: Asian Gangs move grow-ops
September 27 2007

First let me commend you on the article. I think the courts here should look at the sentences being given to drug pushers in the United States to get an idea on how to fight this crime. There is no doubt that the recent violence in Vancouver is being fuelled by BC Bud. As your editorial succinctly put it; if you smoke it you may as well be pulling the trigger.

Stop the madness. Catch em. Lock em up in a jail way up north and you will see how quickly Vancouver will be safe again.

Jason Buily,
Vancouver

Re: Editorial: Plan B for Burma
October 17 2007

I take exception at your insinuation that Aung San Suu Kyi is looking after her own interests instead that of the people of Burma. This woman has sacrificed her life for democratic values and has been in house arrest because the world won't take any concrete action against the ruthless generals that have taken over the country.
Without Suu Kyi, we would never know the atrocities that go on in Burma.
Its because of her that the media is interested in Burma.
Otherwise it will be totally ignored.
Your paper should give more coverage of what's going on there.

Janice Timms,
Vancouver