Targeted by many comments from viewers, including several disappointed with the treatment of Denise Bombardier during her show In the media, Télé-Québec denies its ageism, despite the insistent questions of its host Marie-Louise Arsenault referring to the age of our columnist.
• Read also: Denise Bombardier denies any hostility
Catherine Leboeuf, head of the Public Relations and Press Department at Télé-Québec, did not see Marie-Louise Arsenault’s question, at the end of the interview, as being a stand.
“We are comfortable with this segment which was a question and not a position,” she said in a telephone interview.
In a column published Tuesday morning, in the opinion pages of the Journal of Montreal and you Journal of Quebec, Denise Bombardier returned to this show where the host referred to her 80 years and asked her how we did to remain relevant at this age.
On the show’s and Télé-Québec’s Facebook page, around 100 viewers reacted to this interview. Comments are mixed. Some defend the host, but several have also come to the defense of Denise Bombardier, in particular on the question of her age and her notoriety.
Catherine Leboeuf specifies that the hosts of public affairs programs are journalists. There are no specific rules and standards to follow regarding what they can and cannot say.
“The hosts are chosen because they do their job well and for their journalistic qualities. We trust them. We do not stand behind their shoulders to tell them what to do, ”she added.
Surprise
Marie-Louise Arsenault admits to having been surprised by the exit of Denise Bombardier in her column published Tuesday morning. She never wanted to be ageism towards the columnist. His question was not a stand.
“I sincerely hope people can understand that raising issues doesn’t have to mean taking a stand. Ms. Bombardier also seemed very satisfied with the discussion we had together in this regard, ”said Marie-Louise Arsenault, by email.
The show’s DNA, she says, is to generate substantive discussions on topics that are often overlooked in the media.
“It is therefore not surprising that the debates that are raised in it provoke a reaction. This is the main objective of the concept, to ask frank and direct questions to provoke reflections.
“The question asked had a link,” explained the host, with a column entitled Biden Too Old? published on January 18, which spoke about ageism.
“It is in this context that the question was put to her, on the table that she herself had set publicly,” noted Marie-Louise Arsenault.
What he said to himself …
Here are excerpts from the exchange between Marie-Louise Arsenault and Denise Bombardier …
- MLA: “You turned 80 a few weeks ago. For the occasion, you wrote a column on ageism. Have you been a victim of ageism? “
- DB : “Of course, even last week, there was someone who wrote to me to tell me that he was to put me in a CHSLD with Legault and I no longer remember who and then that he was for me put on two masks and heat, in other words, I’ll kill you. You said my age … “
- MLA: “How do you stay relevant at 80? This is a real question. How do we do ? “
- DB : “We make his brain work. Me, I am lucky because I have good health and an almost mysterious energy. I am never tired. “
- MLA: “Do you ever wonder, I happen to ask myself, at what age do we stop being relevant?” Are you asking yourself this question? “
- DB : ” Not at all. Do you know when I’m going to be sassy is when I’m going to be in my coffin. That’s all. “
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