CBC reporter found in conflict
The CBC ombudsman has found B. C. legislative reporter Stephen Smart’s marriage to Premier Christy Clark’s deputy press secretary, Rebecca Scott, to be in violation of the national broadcaster’s journalistic standards and practices.
Kirk Lapointe’s review stems from a complaint of conflict of interest by Merv Adey, who wrote to CBC News on Dec. 20.
“I do not wish to impugn Mr. Smart’s ability or character,” Adey wrote. “However, I believe it’s impossible for him to fairly carry out his job while married to the premier’s friend and communications person.
“One of a reporter’s first duties is to think and speak with a critical mind about his subject ( in this case, the premier and her government and the opposition parties also). While married to a stakeholder in a political non- contract position, I think that’s really too much to ask of him.”
Wayne Williams, CBC’S news director for B. C., had responded to Adey on Jan. 3, insisting there is no conflict of interest and that CBC had “taken specific steps to address the issue, ensuring both distance and transparency.”
Lapointe said there is “no evidence [ Smart] has taken advantage of his wife’s role, [ and] even the complainant praises his journalist qualities.
“But just because there is no impropriety does not mean there is no conflict,” Lapointe wrote. “Whether a real or perceived conflict of interest, no amount of managing it can do more than mitigate the impact of an impartial fulfilment of duties.
“As it stands there is a violation of CBC Journalistic Standards and Practices.”
As ombudsman, Lapointe’s role is to review complaints, not resolve them.
Johnny Michel, managing director for CBC’S B. C. region, said CBC will not be taking any action in light of the review. “We feel that the ombudsman’s ruling found no issues with Stephen’s reporting,” he said. “Without a shred of evidence that Stephen is offside in his reporting, we feel this is now just a personal matter and a corporate matter.”
Smart has been CBC’S legislative reporter since 2010, while Scott was appointed Clark’s communications officer and deputy press secretary in March 2011. The two became engaged after Scott’s appointment.