TORONTO – The CBC is feeling the heat from viewers decrying its much ballyhooed docu-drama series Canada: The Story Of Us.
The 10 episode series, which debuted March 26, uses a mix of fact-based drama, CGI sequences and documentary-style virtual reality experiences to tell the country’s history. But some viewers, including politicians in Nova Scotia and Quebec, have complained publicly that the series misrepresents history.
The national broadcaster defended itself in a statement on its website, noting that “thousands of difficult editorial decisions were made as to what to include and the focus was deliberately placed on stories that haven't often been told before or that can be told from a new perspective.”
“As Canada's public broadcaster we strive to create stories about Canada and Canadians”, reads the statement. “Some create more robust discussions than others and we fully recognize the first three episodes of this series have yielded reactions from different voices and we are sensitive to what we are hearing. Whenever you recount a country's history, there will inevitably be citizens, historians and politicians who will have different points of view.
We also recognize that not everyone will agree with every perspective presented. Our intention was never to offend anyone or any group, nor diminish the importance of any of the stories that were not included. We regret that some people have felt misrepresented.”
The ‘pubcaster added that it will stage live digital conversations on the show's website in English and in French weekly, beginning after the airing of the next episode on April 18 at 9:00 PM (9:30 NT). While it stopped short of promising to correct or update any of the episodes, CBC did say that some of this feedback would be incorporated into any educational material issued after the series airs.
