“There is a growing difference between critical thinking and complete cynicism toward any institution,” the letter writer says
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The latest poll on whether Canadians trust CBC found something important: The country is deeply divided, not just politically but increasingly in the way we view journalism itself.
Some commentators described CBC as propaganda, while others vigorously defended it. What struck me most was not the disagreement, but how quickly many discussions about media now devolve into insults, sarcasm and accusations that anyone who trusts journalism must be somehow naive or manipulated.
A healthy skepticism towards the media is important. No news organization is perfect, and all journalism should be open to criticism and scrutiny.
However, there is a growing difference between critical thinking and outright cynicism toward any institution, journalist, or fact that challenges our personal worldview.
CBC, like other major Canadian news organizations, operates under editorial standards, journalistic ethics, ombudsman oversight and public accountability procedures.
That doesn’t make it immune to error or bias, but it does distinguish it from the growing ecosystem of outrage-driven content, partisan influencers, anonymous social media accounts and algorithmic misinformation that increasingly dominates online discourse.
We now live in a time where platforms like Truth Social and highly partisan media outlets are often allowed to publish or distribute almost anything without any meaningful fact-checking or accountability.
Opinions and speculation are often presented as facts, and emotionally charged content spreads faster than thorough reporting. This environment should concern all Canadians, regardless of their political affiliation.
Public broadcasting also plays an important role beyond politics. CBC covers regional communities, Indigenous issues, arts, culture, weather emergencies, public safety and local stories that many private broadcasters no longer prioritize because they are not profitable enough.
Trusting CBC does not mean agreeing with every story or perspective presented. It means recognizing the importance of professional journalism in a functioning democracy.
At a time when misinformation is spreading faster than facts and public trust is eroding everywhere, I remain grateful that Canada still has journalists and public broadcasters committed to informing Canadians, telling Canadian stories and upholding standards that value accuracy, accountability and thoughtful public discourse.
M. Nink
Oro Medonte