5 Major Mistakes That Destroyed the CBC
🎧 Podcast Episode 185 with Tara Henley
The CBC, once a cherished national institution, has seen a dramatic decline in public trust and relevance. Tara Henley, a former CBC journalist and independent media voice, has been vocal about the deep-seated issues plaguing the broadcaster. In my conversation with Tara on the Bigger Than Me podcast, she outlined the CBC’s critical failures and how they led to its downfall. Here are five major mistakes that contributed to its decline.
1. Bias and Narrative Control
Tara Henley has consistently highlighted how ideological bias at CBC has alienated large segments of the Canadian public.
"I, in the whole time I worked at CBC, never worked with a single open conservative on staff. I had one person once take me aside and tell me that they were a centrist and please don't tell anyone. That’s the climate."
The lack of ideological diversity has resulted in a narrow, one-sided presentation of news, with certain perspectives being ignored or outright dismissed. This has driven audiences away and deepened the divide between CBC and the broader public.
2. Mishandling of the Pandemic Coverage
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CBC's coverage often mirrored government narratives without sufficient journalistic scrutiny.
"The CBC's own records show during that period, the ombudsman has reported a 60% increase in complaints. We can't gloss over these things. We're going to have to deal with them," said Henley.
From initial dismissal of the lab-leak theory to shifting narratives on vaccine efficacy, the CBC frequently failed to challenge official statements, damaging public trust.
3. Chasing Commercial Profit Instead of Fulfilling Its Public Mandate
Despite being a taxpayer-funded broadcaster, CBC competes with private media for advertising revenue while benefiting from a $1.4 billion government subsidy. This has led to resentment from struggling private media outlets and a confused organizational identity.
"It really should be picking a lane. I think it should get out of commercial advertising because it cripples what we need most right now—digital innovation and new startups."
By acting as a competitor rather than a supporter of Canada’s media ecosystem, CBC has contributed to the broader decline of the news industry.
4. Executive Salaries and Bonuses Amid a Cost-of-Living Crisis
One of the most controversial aspects of CBC’s operations is the massive salaries and bonuses given to its executives.
"The executive salaries are quite high. The VPs are making almost $500,000 a year. Last year, the CBC paid out more than $18 million in bonuses. These are things that are very difficult for the taxpayer to accept."
This financial mismanagement, coupled with widespread layoffs and budget cuts to frontline journalism, has enraged Canadians who see a public institution prioritizing its executives over its audience.
5. Ignoring Canadian Culture and Identity
CBC was once the backbone of Canadian storytelling, fostering a shared cultural identity. Today, it struggles to produce content that resonates with the public.
"We have a ton of immigrants coming to our country. How do they acclimatize to news, politics, and culture? Who’s letting them know what they’ve joined? How are we understanding what we have in common across the country?" asked Henley.
Rather than focusing on uniquely Canadian content, CBC has leaned heavily into identity politics and international perspectives, losing its distinct national character.
Can the CBC Be Saved?
Despite these failures, Tara Henley still believes the CBC is worth saving—but only if it undergoes radical reform.
"This is an 88, 89-year-old institution with incredible archives. How do you conserve a really important institution? How do you do that? It's really hard to think through, but I think it's really important."
To rebuild trust, CBC must acknowledge its past mistakes, re-establish journalistic objectivity, and refocus on serving all Canadians. If it fails to do so, its fate may already be sealed.
For more of Tara Henley’s insights, visit her Substack:
