Source: Zero Hedge
In a move that can only be described as the pinnacle of embracing snowflake culture, the CBC has said this week it is going to close comments on all of its news links and video posts to Facebook pages to protect the mental health of its journalists.
Journalists – who used to be rugged and used to deal with varying opinions as part of the job description – are “fragile” and “in need of attention”, like many other Canadians post-pandemic, the CBC wrote last week. Increasingly, they are facing “vitriol and harassment” for doing their jobs, the report notes.
“For journalists, platforms like Twitter can be a great way to find sources and promote their work, but also a cesspool of hatred. Increasingly, reporters are also physically attacked,” Andre Picard told CBC.
Women and journalists of color have seen increased abuse, according to CBC President Catherine Tait. In her opinion, those threats pose attacks to “free speech and democracy”.
And what better way to enable free speech, than to shut down all speech?
“That’s why beginning on Wednesday and for the next month, we will close comments on all news links and video posts to the Facebook pages belonging to the journalism division of the CBC (News, Current Affairs and Local),” the CBC wrote.
The report continues:
We have built significant audiences on social media platforms through our program and news accounts. These are vital ways to reach Canadians, and we believe in serving content to people there like we do on TV, radio, web and apps. In fact, some of our social channels boast record numbers, increasing reach and growing engagement with millions of Canadians.
But as the conversation has degraded on these platforms, we find ourselves limiting what we post there. We know certain stories will draw out obnoxious and hateful comments. The truth is we spend a considerable amount of attention and resources attempting to moderate our Facebook posts. It takes a mental toll on our staff, who must wade into the muck in an effort to keep the conversation healthy for others.
“It is not sustainable,” the report concludes. “We continue to welcome comments on our website, CBCNews.ca, where we have more moderating tools and can focus our attention better on offering a respectful dialogue about our stories.”
For now…
