Journalistic Standards and Practices
IV. PRODUCTION STANDARDS
A: INFORMATION GATHERING
6. PAYMENTS
As a general rule, the CBC does not pay news sources. The journalist's task is to gather information freely given.
If exceptional payments to sources are contemplated, approval of the senior officer in information programming is required. The fact that such payments were made must be reported in the broadcast.
On the other hand, there is a requirement, in certain circumstances, to pay persons asked to participate in information programming. The determination of such payments should be guided by existing performers' scales.
6.3 PAYMENTS TO MEMBERS OF PUBLIC BODIES
6.3.1 PAYMENTS TO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND SENATORS
The CBC will not make payment of any kind for any purpose to a Member of Parliament or the Senate. This prohibition applies to all payments, including performing fees, script rights, travel or living costs, or other out-of-pocket expenses.
Various provisions of the Parliament of Canada Act dealing with conflict of interest prohibit Senators and members of the House of Commons from accepting payment or remuneration from agencies of the Government of Canada or of the Crown. The penalty for Members of Parliament is disqualification as a Member.
The Federal Department of Justice has given its opinion that a Member of Parliament who accepts any payment from the CBC would jeopardize his or her seat, and that a Member of the Senate in like circumstances would be laid open to other penalties as prescribed
by law.
6.3.2 PAYMENTS TO MEMBERS OF PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURES OR OF CIVIC OR MUNICIPAL ELECTED PUBLIC BODIES
Elected members of provincial legislatures or of municipal or civic governments should not be paid for services relating to news and current affairs, and having a clearly political nature; nor should they be paid for broadcast appearances on behalf of a political party.
6.3.3 PROVINCIAL LEGISLATION RE: CORRUPT PRACTICES
Producers who deal with members of provincial legislatures should be aware that in most provinces there is legislation aimed at the suppression of corrupt practices, which could conceivably be invoked to the detriment of a provincial legislator who accepts payment from the CBC in return for explaining or defending a political point of view on a broadcast. Such a possibility is probably very remote, but there may be cases where producers would find it prudent to draw to the attention of provincial legislators the existence of these provincial statutes.
The Law Department should be consulted for further information.
