TVO terminates agreement with documentary producer, seeks refund

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May 22, 2015, 08:00 ET

TORONTO, May 22, 2015 /CNW/ - TVO announced today that it has formally advised White Pine Pictures that it is terminating the Agreement to commission a documentary about Premier Kathleen Wynne and the lead up to the 2015 Ontario provincial budget and is requesting a refund of all monies paid toward the project.

"From the beginning, TVO insisted to White Pine Pictures that there be a journalistic treatment of this film including hiring a journalist as director," said John Ferri, VP of Current Affairs and Documentaries. "TVO consistently supported the director's vision for the film. Once she left the project, we felt we had no choice but to do so as well. In addition to the fact that this project no longer has a director, several of White Pine Pictures' other obligations were not met and therefore regrettably we are terminating the Agreement."

In its notification to White Pine Pictures, TVO noted that:

A completed documentary with a director attached to the project was not delivered. Director Roxana Spicer formally resigned in writing from the White Pine Pictures' project. The lack of a director is a fundamental deficiency for a documentary production;
A documentary consistent with TVO's journalistic standards for editorial integrity, independence and quality, as required by the Agreement, was not delivered;
A documentary fully cleared as required by the Agreement was not delivered. As White Pine Pictures informed TVO, signed access agreements and accompanying releases for several figures who participated were not obtained;
A documentary with Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance as required by the Agreement was not delivered. White Pine Pictures informed TVO that it would not be seeking E&O insurance without the signed access agreements and accompanying releases, and;
A finished documentary which met the terms of our Agreement in a timely manner to allow for our scheduled air date as agreed was not delivered.

White Pine Pictures continues to be the owner of the content of the project. Written notice has been sent to White Pine Pictures stating that TVO is seeking reimbursement for $114,075 already advanced to White Pine Pictures for the documentary's production.

As part of TVO's broadcast license, TVO is required to operate independently and at arm's length from government and to exercise full editorial independence. This requirement is strictly adhered to in all cases.

*See BACKGROUNDER attached.

About TVO
As the technological extension of Ontario's public education system, TVO's vision is to create a better world through the power of learning. TVO provides learning opportunities for Ontarians through innovative educational products, in-depth current affairs, groundbreaking documentaries, and award-winning TVOKids resources both inside and outside the classroom. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and is a registered charity supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.

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