Mafia stereotypes of Montreal's Italian community unacceptable - Skit on
Montreal Corruption and the Construction Industry Deplored - Complaint Filed
at CRTC against Radio Canada
News provided by
CANADIAN ITALIAN BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION (CIBPA)Mar 02, 2010, 15:08 ET
MONTREAL, March 2 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association (CIBPA) will be holding a press conference on Wednesday, March 03 at 10:30 a.m. at La Plaza - Holiday Inn Montreal Midtown in the Salon Diplomat at 420 Sherbrooke West calling for an apology from Radio Canada for the broadcast of a skit considered defamatory towards the Italian community.
"It is regrettable that just one year after Radio Canada had to apologize for similar insults against a racial minority during the Bye Bye 2008 telecast that in 2009, it would target the Italian community with unacceptable negative stereotypes related to alleged scandals in the construction industry" stated Giuliano D'Andrea, vice President of the CIBPA.
The official complaint was filed on Jan 26th to the CRTC. Radio Canada responded on February 17, stating their position that since "... many of the individuals who made the news happen to have Italian names ..." an Italian family, the Jamboni, was justified and since the skit was "conspicuously humorous" and intended as only a caricature, no apology is necessary.
"It is shameful that our state broadcaster can take such a narrow view and not take into consideration that what can be humorous to some may in fact be terribly offensive to those targeted by such humor."
The CIBPA is asking that the Federal Government look into the matter.
For further information: Giuliano D'Andrea, (514) 254-4929 office, (514) 497-6301 cell
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