CBC host Evan Solomon has been fired - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

taco.vidal · 06-09-2015, 09:35 PM

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/cbc-abruptly-parts-ways-with-host-evan-solomon/article24884769/

Quote:

The CBC has abruptly dismissed a high-profile personality, ousting political host Evan Solomon over allegations he used his journalistic contacts to broker art deals and collect lucrative fees.

The public broadcaster announced the decision in a brief memo to staff on Tuesday evening, little more than an hour after The Toronto Star published a story detailing the popular television host’s dealings with art collector Bruce Bailey.

Fuzz · 06-09-2015, 09:36 PM

That's to bad, I always liked him.

killer_carlson · 06-09-2015, 09:44 PM

I really liked him as a reporter. Not afraid to ask difficult questions. Not afraid to take his foot off the gas when someone is weaseling out, but smart and sensible enough not to rub it in once his point is made.

I hope he is picked up by another network asap.

Major Major · 06-09-2015, 10:02 PM

Yup. like Evan Soloman. Can anyone explain why what he did was wrong? Doesn't really seem like a big deal to me.

Major Major · 06-09-2015, 10:18 PM

If I'm left to my own inferences, I'd say that either someone with some government sway had a bone to pick or CBC is being far too cautious, most likely in light of the Gomeshi scandal.

CroFlames · 06-09-2015, 10:22 PM

It'll be interesting to find out exactly what's going on here, since it doesn't sound like he necessarily did anything illegal, did he?

I wonder if he ruffled too many feathers and there was some conspiracy to have him canned. Interesting.

Flash Walken · 06-09-2015, 10:30 PM

After the CBC seemed to scuttle the Amanda Lang conflict of interest story, I'm surprised this resolution is so heavy.

Although, maybe I just answered my own mystery.

Major Major · 06-09-2015, 10:31 PM

from What's being reported, it sounds like a legitimate business deal he was making, but the fault lies in that he was using his network of wealthy people that he gained through his career in journalism to find customers for the art dealer. Breach of journalistic integrity? Maybe. But it seems fairly minor.

OMG!WTF! · 06-09-2015, 10:31 PM

I think it's just a matter of not being allowed to profit from your contacts as a high profile CBC employee. If you're screwing in light bulbs at the CBC studio and making 3 million dollar art deals on the side, that's probably not a problem.

Major Major · 06-09-2015, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

I think it's just a matter of not being allowed to profit from your contacts as a high profile CBC employee. If you're screwing in light bulbs at the CBC studio and making 3 million dollar art deals on the side, that's probably not a problem.

Maybe, but if it's the guy who is being potentially groomed to anchor the National, wouldn't you just have a sit down and review some company policy. Maybe make him pay back some of the commission? idunno, seems whack

Swift · 06-09-2015, 10:51 PM

Quote:

CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson told reporter Ioanna Roumeliotis that based on information that came to the broadcaster's attention on Monday, CBC determined that some of Solomon's activities were inconsistent with the organization's conflict of interest and ethics policy, as well as journalistic standards and practices.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/evan-s...eals-1.3106983

As mentioned in that article, CBC got some heat last year regarding "conflicts of interest" after questions about some of their personalities' paid speaking engagements (in particular Rex Murphy speaking at oil company events, and Peter Mansbridge too) This is likely part of that crackdown and nothing to do with the Ghomeshi affair (although, of course, they'd rather stay away from any controversy these days) Still, it does seem pretty harsh, especially given that Amanda Lang was involved in much worse.

It's a pity. I liked Evan Solomon and he looked like he was in line for the Mansbridge role down the line. I'm surprised to see that he's been with CBC since 1994. I didn't figure him to be that old.

OMG!WTF! · 06-09-2015, 10:56 PM

Not sure if he disclosed his commission to the buyers, but if not, that would also be a problem. That's just dirty pool and I wouldn't want a guy like that employed at CBC. CRA maybe. But not CBC.

Resolute 14 · 06-09-2015, 11:00 PM

One also has to wonder if Solomon gets fired for this in a pre-Jian Ghomeshi scandal world.

The CBC is basically like the Senate, it seems. It needs to clean itself up before the RCMP and special investigators start doing the job for it.

Flash Walken · 06-09-2015, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

One also has to wonder if Solomon gets fired for this in a pre-Jian Ghomeshi scandal world.

The CBC is basically like the Senate, it seems. It needs to clean itself up before the RCMP and special investigators start doing the job for it.

I think it has a lot more to do with Amanda Lang.

That should have been the moment to reassess his business.

CroFlames · 06-09-2015, 11:53 PM

But if all he did was find buyers and sellers thru his network of contacts, how is that wrongdoing? He just happens to know alot of people. It's not like he was secretly moonlighting for another network or something and giving away journalistic secrets.

Art dealing is a completely different industry. I just don't see how his business deals affected his CBC work and would warrant a firing. CBC's loss is probably CTV's gain now.

Super Nintendo Chalmers · 06-10-2015, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroFlames

But if all he did was find buyers and sellers thru his network of contacts, how is that wrongdoing? He just happens to know alot of people. It's not like he was secretly moonlighting for another network or something and giving away journalistic secrets.

Hypothetically, what if he overlooked some proof of criminal activity from one of these contacts that he had a business relationship with, instead of running with the story?

FlamesAddiction · 06-10-2015, 06:50 AM

It's not that unusual. If he was running some extra-curricular business deals on CBCs dime (i.e., using company contacts, items, paid-for travel, etc...), then it is a clear case of conflict of interest. Especially if he had the ability to manipulate his company schedule and meetings based on where he needed to be and who he needed to see.

Back when I worked for my old company, we had some employees that started up a side-gig of renting ATVs to clients. It was not related to the field work they were doing and wasn't illegal, but it was found to be a conflict of interest and it was stopped.

jammies · 06-10-2015, 08:38 AM

Maybe they did ask him to stop, and he thought they were bluffing when they told him it was either his art deals or his job. Perhaps he can investigate himself at his new job and get all the details.

CaptainCrunch · 06-10-2015, 08:52 AM

I can see the conflict pretty clearly, he's a investigative journalist who was using his contacts from his show, the people that he was doing business with and collecting massive commissions.

It goes right towards his ability to protect the integrity of his job.

He was selling to the head of Blackberry, the head of the bank of Canada etc.

Oh and he didn't disclose it to his employers until after he was caught.

It would be the same as if he was doing a story on the head of Enron one day and then gaining a three million dollar commission from a deal with him while continuing to run with the story.

He basically can't be seen as unbiased at that point.

northcrunk · 06-10-2015, 09:17 AM

The man went from getting a degree on religeon in college to becoming the CBC book reviewer on the weekends then straight to chair P&P. He was just ok but was not great. I can't really see him becoming the host of the national and definatly not after this. CTV may pick him up though.