“It’s because he has white hair” – Corriere.it

Since we sent
New York – Elections, wars, natural disasters. Journalist Lisa Laflamme Following the most important stories in recent years for Canadian TV, it was among the most-watched evening news of the past decade — and the best according to this year’s Canadian Screen Awards.

However He was abruptly fired on Monday. The news sparked a debate about sexism and “ageism” in Canada Age discriminationin the media.

LaFlamme broke the news on Twitter, explaining to CTV News last June that Bell Media had decided to suspend his contract after 35 years and less than two years after it expired, and had been asked to maintain confidentiality for weeks. “I am shocked and even more shocked and saddened by Bell Media’s decision. I am 58 years old and I thought I still have a lot of time to tell other stories that affect our daily lives. While I’m heartbroken to be leaving CTV National News in a way I didn’t choose, you know the magazine has been the greatest honor of my life, and thank you for always being there.”

The network responded with one “Business decision”, in accordance with changes in public practice.

Political reporter Omar Sasetina, 39, is of Indian and Ugandan descent – Underrepresented communities in Canadian media – took over from LaFlamme.

But in examining the reasons that led to this decision, including conflict among colleagues and the public over resources used to cover the war in Ukraine, Many believe that the real reason for the dismissal was LaFlamme’s white hair.

When did the reporter make headlines? In 2020 he stopped using them. This happened during the pandemic, he explained in an interview. She couldn’t afford to go to a hairdresser and was tired of doing it herself every day before it came out. “In the end I said: But why should I bother? Honestly, if I had known the experience would be so liberating, I would have done it sooner.

According to the Canadian newspaper “Globe and Mail”, Michael Melling did not like the new styleThe managing director of CTV News reportedly asked who had given him the endorsement.

Many Canadians instead celebrated LaFlamme’s choice on social media and are now protesting his dismissal, recalling his predecessor. Lloyd Robertson retired at 77, not 58 Casting her out in this way sends a hugely negative message to all women: They can’t be themselves.