Thread by @joannachiu

NEW: Here's the CTV company memo about veteran anchor @LisaLaFlamme_'s termination and why a well-placed CTV source thinks her ouster was likely "not a cost-cutting measure".

"Lisa was our greatest defender."

thestar.com/news/2022/08/1… @TorontoStar @CTVNews #LisaLaFlamme

I spoke with the CTV source who said:

“The CTV National news team found out about Lisa’s departure at the same time as the public.”

“There's a lot of fear about what the corporation’s vision for national news at CTV will be." thestar.com/news/2022/08/1…

@Nuttallreports obtained the company memo sent to staff by Michael Melling, the company’s head of news who took the role in January of this year.

Read here: thestar.com/news/2022/08/1…

LaFlamme, 58, did not get a farewell show and she shared the news in a video on Twitter.

Her colleague: “She takes her role as senior editor very seriously. She has spoken up where she has seen a lack of coverage and where to devote more resources." thestar.com/news/2022/08/1…

@CFWIJ director @kirannazish says 58-year-old @LisaLaFlamme_'s ouster very much has to do with sexism and ageism.

“This has to be one of the most publicly ageist events in Canadian media."

Peter Mansbridge retired at age 69, Lloyd Robertson at 77. thestar.com/news/2022/08/1…

"It is crushing to be leaving CTV National News in a manner that is not my choice."

Source: LaFlamme had “several years” left in her latest contract. Have more to add to this story? Email or DM me, or join the discussion in comments here:
thestar.com/news/2022/08/1… @TorontoStar

LaFlamme’s replacement @omarsachedina is in a tough position, his colleagues say. “He’s a wonderful man and whip-smart journalist, just like Lisa… But he is getting totally screwed like this.” thestar.com/news/2022/08/1…

UPDATES: CTV News employees now describe a “culture of fear” within the organization, a day after it emerged that the network had ended the contract of Lisa LaFlamme, one of Canada’s best known journalists. thestar.com/news/canada/20… @TorontoStar

"In the last eight months, we lost the two most senior women at CTV News. Wendy Freeman and @LisaLaFlamme_ are both gone,” said one longtime employee."

"There’s a lot of young women in the newsroom whose mentors are gone." thestar.com/news/canada/20…

Ian Hanomansing, co-host of CBC’s The National, told the Star he was “shocked” at CTV’s decision.

“I was sitting in my home watching the video and I actually wondered if it was a parody,” he said. thestar.com/news/canada/20… @ianhanomansing

Multiple CTV staff described a culture where people are "constantly being yelled at" and worrying about getting fired.

While there is criticism over the role of VP Michael Melling, the union says issues "have existed for a long time". thestar.com/news/canada/20…

Sources say CTV execs barely left their private offices.

“There still hasn’t been any sort of address from Michael Melling or leadership."

CTV is owned by major conglomerate Bell Media, which also owns @globeandmail. thestar.com/news/canada/20…

There are other allegations that we are working on verifying. My DMs are open if you would like to reach out.

This story has so many layers that are important to not just people in media circles, and certainly not just in Canada. thestar.com/news/canada/20…

Several CTV employees laid the blame for what they describe as the current climate of fear at the feet of Melling, the head of news, while one said the issues in the organization predate his promotion, but have been “amplified” during his tenure. thestar.com/news/canada/20…