Head of CBC English News, Tony Burman, steps down
Dan Say
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 | 12:37 PM ET
CBC Arts
Tony Burman, editor in chief of CBC's English-language news, current
affairs and Newsworld divisions, announced Tuesday that he is leaving
after nearly 35 years with the public broadcaster.
Tony Burman stands with Governor General Michaëlle Jean at the
Michener Awards in June 2007. Tony Burman stands with Governor
General Michaëlle Jean at the Michener Awards in June 2007.
(Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
In a note to staff, Burman announced that he will be leaving July 13.
"As CBC's editor in chief, I have done this job longer than I had
planned, longer than anyone else at the CBC in decades and as long as
any single individual should. It's time for a change ... and I really
look forward to directing my energy, my enthusiasm and my ideas to new
projects," Burman said in his note.
Burman was named the broadcaster's top journalist -- editor in chief
of CBC's English services -- in March 2002, about two years after he
began heading up all of CBC-TV's news and current affairs programming.
Over the past three decades, Burman has held posts in both CBC-TV and
CBC Radio, including stints as executive producer of flagship TV news
show The National, senior documentary producer for CBC-TV's The
Journal and executive producer of Cross Country Checkup. As a news and
documentary producer, he covered a variety of major stories across 30
countries, including the release of Nelson Mandela in South Africa,
the Ethiopian famine in 1985 and the Lebanese Civil War.
In a statement, CBC Radio vice-president Jane Chalmers praised Burman
as "a brilliant journalist, a dedicated advocate of public
broadcasting and a true leader."
"Much of what CBC News, particularly CBC Newsworld and television
news, is today is the result of his vision and leadership. CBC News
and the corporation as a whole owe him an enormous debt of gratitude,"
she added.
A search for Burman's replacement will begin immediately, while his
current deputy, Esther Enkin, will serve as acting editor in chief.
"Tony leaves big shoes to fill," said CBC-TV executive vice-president
Richard Stursberg.
"We will be pushing forward with our overall news renewal that will
reinforce CBC News as a leader in Canadian journalism."
-------
Linkname: CBC.ca Arts - Tony Burman to step down as
CBC's chief journalist
URL:
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/story/2007/06/19/burman-leaving.html
==========
The Teamaker's Blog quotes his full memo
To all CBC news and current affairs staff, and contributors-
A little drum roll please - although this time I'll provide my own drums.
I have some personal news to pass on: After seven and a half years in my
current role - and nearly 35 years with the CBC - I have decided that I will
be leaving the CBC next month.
Since so much of my life has been connected with the CBC, I obviously have
mixed emotions about this, but mostly I have feelings of elation. And - can I
say it? - liberation.
It has been a privilege for me to oversee such a wonderful operation during
this crucial and dynamic period. And, equally important, it has been precious
for me to develop enduring friendships over the years with so many dedicated
people working at Canada's public broadcaster. Canadians are very lucky. You
can sometimes be a tough crowd but I have always known you're lovable deep
down!
Although I have been with CBC News in Canada and abroad for more than 30
years, I have actually had eight or nine different jobs in all corners of the
CBC. So my own work pattern has been to seek change every three-to-five years.
And I have - as many of you know - worked hard to ensure this approach is
common in different parts of our operation. I have always felt that an
openness to change and renewal is at the core of the best journalism. In the
end, I have to listen to my own words.
As CBC's editor in chief, I have done this job longer than I had planned,
longer than anyone else at the CBC in decades and as long as any single
individual should. It's time for a change - for you, and for me - and I really
look forward to directing my energy, my enthusiasm and my ideas to new
projects.
On radio, television, Newsworld, online and in new media, CBC News is a
leading and vital part of Canadian life reflecting the heartbeat of our
democracy. That is becoming even more evident in this 21st century, and it's
because of you. I have been honoured to have been there - with you - during so
many of these important times.
When I was six years old and told my mother that I wanted to spend my life as
a CBC journalist, I remember her reply: "That's all fine and good, Tony. But
remember when you decide to leave the CBC, don't leave in the middle of
winter. Promise me you'll leave at the beginning of summer."
I did it, Mom.
There will be a note shortly from Jane Chalmers and Richard Stursberg
outlining the process ahead.
In the meantime, I'm on the job for another four weeks, until July 13, and
after that, you will always have me as your ally.
Tony
------------
http://teamakers.blogspot.com/2007/06/onward-for-tony.html
=======
Dan Say
Maybe alos in French at the Journal of Montreal
[the Sun Chain, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, etc.] June 24, 2007
CBC chief may have left before he was ready
By SHEILA COPPS [ former Liberal culture (Heritage) minister
The chattering classes in Ottawa are all atwitter over the reasons
behind the hasty departure of English CBC's news guru Tony
Burman.
Did he leave voluntarily or was he pushed? Will this mark the
beginning of the end of serious public broadcasting in Canada?
Will the CBC dumb down its coverage to satisfy insatiable head
office demands for more viewers?
For the record, my theory is that he was pushed, that public
broadcasting will survive and that the continuing quest for
audience will dominate CBC programming choices in the post-Burman
era.
In the world of the multi-channel universe, the only constant
facing the nation's public broadcaster is change.
I am not one of those who moan for the old CBC. Burman's departure
could present an opportunity to innovate. It goes without saying
that news coverage at the Mother Corp is sans pareil. However,
that excellence occurs at the expense of investment in drama,
variety, children's programming and other important television
genres.
Privately, most CBC employees outside the news department will
gladly grouse about how the voracious news machine gobbles up the
vast majority of the corporation's resources. Ever wonder why the
incredible Juno awards laboured largely in obscurity until they
moved to a private broadcaster? George Anthony always produced an
excellent show but there were few resources to promote it.
As minister responsible, I once asked know how much of the CBC's
$725 million English budget was spent on television drama. At
first, CBC accountants said they did not collect those figures.
When Jim Bird finally found out, I was shocked to discover a
measly $25 million was spent on original dramas. Moses Znaimer's
CITY-TV spent more. Part of the decision to create the Canadian
Television Fund was to ensure CBC investment in drama,
documentaries and children's programming.
The Burman focus on national news to the exclusion of the regions
and other programming genres created its own political dilemma.
Let it be understood that rare is the politician who loves the
media.
When things are going well, governments tend to congratulate
themselves.
When things are going badly, it is the media's fault.
When the largest news outlet in the country survives on money from
Parliament, its future is always precarious.
While lobbying for more money for the CBC, I faced down cabinet
colleagues who were openly calling for CBC privatization. Some
MPs were so CBC-hostile that an informal pro-CBC group of
parliamentarians was formed to counter the move to kill off the
public broadcaster.
DECLINING MARTIN
At one point, then-finance minister Paul Martin suggested that if
I would spearhead privatization, he would reserve the entire
savings for other cultural spending. I declined.
The CBC is the greatest single cultural expenditure in Canada.
It's newsgathering is always subject to greater political
scrutiny by those whose future depends on the news.
Does the CBC trash the Tories for fear of what they might do with
a majority government? Is Peter Mansbridge's ongoing military
interest an attempt to get the government onside? No private
broadcaster faces those contradictory questions.
The second major CBC challenge is a reluctance to partner within
the corporation. English journalists rarely cover Quebec and
French CBC hardly ever ventures into Sudbury although there are
more francophones in Northern Ontario than in the Saguenay.
Both broadcasters are big city-centric. English CBC programming
decisions are largely made within the shadow of the CN Tower.
There are some great "on the road" series but they essentially
view the country from the urbane perspective of a Toronto
traveller. French CBC is similarly Montreal centric.
There are glimmers of hope. Little Mosque on the Prairie is an
example of risky programming that entertains and educates.
Foreign bureau journalists are now gathering world-class news in
both official languages. Expect more change.
Elitists will accuse the CBC of dumbing down by working to attract
audiences. But what is wrong with airing programs that people
want to watch?
Burman's departure presents an opportunity to rebalance top-heavy
news programming with more drama, variety and children's shows.
More joint newsgathering would also help bridge Canada's
linguistic solitudes. And as Martha Stewart would say (heaven
forbid), that's a good thing.