Journalistic Standards and Practices

Appendix A - Use of Sources
                   - Guidelines for Documentaries

2. GUIDELINES FOR DOCUMENTARIES

The documentary is, above all, a work of non-fiction, a treatment of reality although it is recognized that the author's creative stamp and perspective form a significant part of the production. As a public broadcaster the CBC is obligated to reflect the diverse range of opinion that animates debate in a democratic society, documentaries play an important role in nurturing that debate. Documentaries should adhere to the same standards of accuracy, integrity and fairness as the rest of the CBC's journalistic work. Every effort should be made to challenge or test a partisan view, or reflect the fact that there may be differing perspectives. But if this is not possible in a particular program the obligation to be fair and balanced within the program series or broadcast schedule applies.

All the policies regarding recording methods, editing, mixture of production forms, investigative journalism, fairness and balance apply equally to documentaries.

2.1 POINT-OF-VIEW DOCUMENTARIES

The term "point-of-view" is currently used to describe quite different forms: personalized documentaries, specialist programs as well as works of clear political or social advocacy. Different standards apply to each.

2.2 POINT-OF-VIEW DOCUMENTARIES IN THE SENSE OF PERSONAL JOURNALISM

A documentary may take the form of a writer's journey through a story, an individual first-person narrative. The phrase "point-of-view" is sometimes used to describe this form which leans on the documentarist's perspective to yield special insights. On occasion, the writer's revelation of his or her own initial biases and attitudes can actually lead to a particularly candid form of journalism. This is an accepted form of documentary practice.

2.3 POINT-OF-VIEW DOCUMENTARIES IN THE SENSE OF SPECIALIST PROGRAMS

Some of the finest documentaries and series focus on the thoughts or experiences of a single author, artist, historian or scientist, and may be presented or narrated by this person. These can be the broadcast equivalents of books or essays; they are works of individual authorship representing the thoughts or body of research or experiences of this person. These programs should involve recognized authorities in their field, or persons with the sufficient experience or body of knowledge which the CBC programmer feels justifies such a concentration on their perspective.

The latitude to develop a thesis or convey a personal perspective, however, does not release the author, or the CBC, from the requirement to be factually correct.

2.4 POINT-OF-VIEW DOCUMENTARIES IN THE SENSE OF ADVOCACY

The phrase "point-of-view" is also used at times to describe a work of clear opinion, advocacy, or a factually-based polemic which argues a specific remedy or perspective in a controversial matter. While factually based, the work does not fairly portray the range of opinions involved in the issue or story.

The programmer will at times be faced with the decision whether or not to broadcast an entire production which substantially transgresses the CBC's journalistic standards because it openly espouses an opinion on a controversial matter, to the exclusion of other pertinent facts or reasonable views. This form is sometimes the broadcast equivalent of an editorial, a commentary-page article in a newspaper, or an oral case made in a debate. Although the work is factually based, it does not fairly portray all dimensions of an issue, as is required in a CBC production. It goes beyond the natural author's perspective inherent in any work, and becomes an argument for an opinion, a position in a controversy. Such works of opinion are a part of Canada's journalistic tradition, and have their place in broadcasting as well as in print. But great caution should be taken to protect the integrity of the Corporation's impartiality in information programming and its independence of special interest groups.

In considering such works of opinion or argument for broadcast, the CBC has to assure fairness and balance by other means. The CBC should also guard against political or economic interest groups and lobbies exploiting this avenue. Programmers should apply the following tests and procedures:

1. Such a production should be of particular excellence and pertinence in the eyes of the CBC. This policy addresses an exception to normal information policies and is not intended to be a regular or frequent feature of information programming. The Department Head must be consulted in making this judgment.
2. Such a production should be prominently identified as a work of opinion at the beginning and at the end.
3. In the case of a procurement or co-production, the CBC must be completely satisfied that this work is financed independently from any party having a direct interest in the issue; the purpose of this policy is to allow latitude for independent voices, not to give organized interests, governments, or lobbies greater access to the airwaves than less endowed communities or individuals (see section III,  Principles, subsection 6, Program Funding).
4. Even in a work of opinion, facts should be respected and arguments should reasonably flow from those facts. The CBC cannot abdicate its responsibility for the accuracy of the facts presented on its airwaves and has the obligation to ensure that the argument presented does not rest on false evidence.
5. In most cases, the broadcast of a clearly partisan production from a single perspective obligates the CBC to provide an appropriate reflection of other pertinent points of view, so that the audience may see that different conclusions may also be drawn from the same facts. The CBC should also avoid cumulative bias over time by guarding against one perspective frequently appearing in highly-produced form.

2.5 PARTICIPATION OF CBC JOURNALISTS IN POINT-OF-VIEW DOCUMENTARIES

It is not appropriate for CBC journalists, hosts or presenters, or anyone normally associated in the public's mind with CBC information programs, to participate in partisan or opinion-based productions. (see Section III Principles, subsection 3 Credibility).