DAILY NEWS Aug 13, 2008 9:19 AM - 0 comments

Broadcaster's Recommendation of Violence in Hockey Violates Code--CBSC

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The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council today released its decision concerning comments made on an episode of Bonsoir les sportifs broadcast on CKAC-AM (Montreal). Host Ron Fournier suggested that the Montreal Canadiens use violence against their opponents. The CBSC concluded that the broadcast violated the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Code of Ethics because it promoted violence contrary to Clause 9(a).

On the sports talk show, host Ron Fournier was speaking with his co-host about the meagre reaction of the Montreal Canadiens to opponents' interference with their goalie in a recent game. Fournier suggested that, on the first two instances of goalie interference, the team should approach the referee, but, on the third occasion, [translation] "you break your stick on the back of the player's neck. [...] You cross-check him in the back of the head and he ends up with his face in the glass enclosure or in the ice!" He repeated this suggestion despite the reminder from his co-host that young people listen to the program.

The CBSC received a complaint from a listener who was concerned about the message this broadcast sent to young people about using violence in hockey games. The station argued that Fournier had not intended to incite listeners to violence and the comments were made in the context of a specific professional hockey game.

The Quebec Regional Panel examined the complaint under Clause 9(a) of the CAB Code of Ethics, which prohibits the sanctioning or promotion of violence on radio. The Panel concluded that the broadcast violated that Code provision because Fournier's remarks "not only 'endorsed', 'encouraged', 'approved' and 'supported' such violent acts, they recommended such a course of action to protect a goaltender."
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