OTTAWA – A radio personality who suggested that drivers run down cyclists breached the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Code of Ethics, says the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC).
On March 27, 2017, the hosts of talk show 100% Normandeau on CFEL-FM (BLVD 102.1, Quebec City) discussed current events with another BLVD host at that time, André Arthur. In light of that day’s snowstorm, they talked about cyclists who ride their bicycles in inclement winter weather. Arthur said, [translation] “the definition of an idiot is someone who rides their bicycle in winter. […] Today, someone on a bike, hit them, relieve them, do something.”
The CBSC was inundated with 1,112 complaints about the broadcast, accusing Arthur of provoking listeners to commit violent acts against cyclists. The station agreed that the comment was unacceptable, and Arthur apologized for his remarks the next day, saying that he had a “brain fart” (translated) and had not intended to encourage people to kill cyclists. Rather, he had meant to express his dread about the possibility of hitting them when road conditions are poor.
The CBSC’s French-Language Panel examined the complaints under Clause 9(a) of the CAB Code of Ethics which prohibits sanctioning or promoting violence on radio. The Panel found a breach of the code. While acknowledging Arthur’s “provocative style”, the Panel noted that there was no immediate counterpoint to his remarks.
The Panel added that it found Arthur’s subsequent apology to be sincere and did not require the station to announce the breach finding on air.
Ed note: Arthur is no stranger to saying stupid things on the air and was fired by the station in January for saying something even more ignorant.
