The CBC admitted it was wrong for one of their anchors to say Russian strongman Vladimir Putin was behind the truckers’ Freedom convoy, says Blacklock’s Reporter..The assertion was not factual, the state broadcaster said..“A clarification notice was added,” the CBC said in a statement..The correction stated the claim “should have referenced experts” concerns that during the current tension over Ukraine, Moscow could use its cyber and disinformation capabilities.”.No expert has claimed Russia is provoking the truckers’ protest. Freedom Convoy organizers are from Alberta..CBC announcer Nil Koksal raised the Kremlin claim in a January 28 broadcast of Power And Politics. Koksal was interviewing Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino at the time..“I am just a visitor,” said Koksal:.Koksal: “We have heard references to potential outside actors. Who could these outside actors be? Where might they be from?”Minister Mendicino: “I would certainly direct those questions to law enforcement who are best positioned to answer and to take decisions. I know that police services and other partners within the public safety community are putting all eyes on the situation, putting additional resources into the area to make sure there can be peaceful protest as well as providing direction and guidance to residents so that everyone can stay safe.”Koksal: “I do ask that because, you know, given Canada’s support of Ukraine in this current crisis with Russia, I don’t know if it’s farfetched to ask, but there is concern that Russian actors could be continuing to fuel things as this protest grows, or perhaps even instigating it from the outside.”Minister Mendicino: “I am going to defer to our partners in public safety.”.The CBC on Thursday did not explain the basis of its claim of “concern” Russia was goading truck drivers into protesting vaccine mandates..No police, security or federal surveillance agency has suggested Russians were fueling the protest or “instigating it from the outside.”.Federal agencies have repeatedly found no evidence of Russian interference in Canadian politics.
