MONTREAL – Quebecor Media is demanding that CBC/Radio-Canada take down the page on its website that, among other allegations, accuses the Montreal-based media giant of using public subsidies for its own gain.
As Cartt.ca reported earlier this week, the ‘pubcaster posted a page entitled ‘What Quebecor won’t tell you about its attacks on the public broadcaster’ that included a document called ‘Examining Quebecor Media's Free Market Message’ on the evening before Quebecor head Pierre-Karl Péladeau appeared in front of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics about the CBC and the Access To Information Act.
In a tersely worded statement released Friday afternoon, Quebecor said that it has a sent “a formal letter of notice” to CBC/Radio-Canada president and CEO Hubert Lacroix, ordering that the page be removed and replaced by an apology and a copy of Quebecor’s follow up press release that it claims “sets the record straight”.
“Quebecor Media considers the information published on these pages to be false and defamatory and published maliciously, without prior verification, in order to interfere with the testimony of Quebecor Media's CEO in front of the House of Commons' Standing committee on access to information, privacy and ethics”, reads the company’s statement. “Furthermore, Quebecor Media believes that this information, alleging that it is hiding information from the public or being less than truthful in its reporting or public statements, was published with the clear intent of tarnishing its reputation.”
The letter to Lacroix (available here, in French) also hints at potential legal action.
“Also, be advised that Quebecor reserves all its rights and remedies against Radio-Canada because of the publication of false information above”, reads a translation of the letter. “Since Quebecor believes that false information has been published with malicious intent to Quebecor, be also advised that an action for damages by Quebecor could include a request for punitive damages against the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation”.
