by Oscar » Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:22 pm
I heard James Parker's report on the uranium boom times underway on the Morning Edition. (Jan.11/07)
I have great respect for James as a reporter and believe he does his job well.
It is disturbing, however, that the CBC, along with most other media outlets, regularly avoid talking about anything outside the usual jobs, jobs, jobs aspect of this industry.
In April of 2006, the CBC had an opportunity to interview Gordon Edwards, Canada's foremost critic of the nuclear industry, and you refused to do it.
To hear Sheila's statements such as "let the good times roll" turns my stomach because clearly, such a statement tells me her mind, and that of the CBC, is made up on this issue.
I believe the role of journalists is to cover all sides of an issue and the CBC consistently fails in this regard.
I hope you will give James an opportunity to cover some of the "other issues" related to nuclear development.
If you want to cover this story in "strictly economic terms", how about some information about the economic costs of cleaning up exploration and mining sites?
What are the costs of cleaning up Uranium City? When will that work be completed?
What are the financial & public health costs to clean up the flooding of Cigar Lake?
What are the overall costs to human, animal and plant health and safety of mining uranium?
When will either the provincial or federal governments conduct independent health studies to determine if there has been any impact on human health?
What guarantees are in place to ensure Canadians that our uranium is not making its way into nuclear weapons systems?
I look forward to hearing more stories on these issues.
Stephanie