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VIEWER FEEDBACK
The response from viewers of the fifth
estate to Conspiracy Theories was almost unprecedented
in the history of the show. The broadcast had barely
ended before emails began flowing into our office.
In addition to the extraordinary volume of mail,
the number of hits to the fifth estate's web site
was overwhelming. Overnight, the fifth estate's
site became one of the most read of all the CBC's
web sites, a sure indication that we had touched
a nerve among our viewers.
The viewer mail ranged from concise one- or two-sentence
comments to documents of several pages in length.
Whatever the opinion, one thing was clear: no one
was ambivalent to the subject matter. Here is a
sampling of the hundreds of emails that we received.
"I cannot
begin to express my gratitude, for your being
- to my knowledge -
the first national news network on this continent
to seriously raise
questions about the events surrounding 9-11. Hopefully
it yields some results
via public and media pressure to disclose information.
These issues, having been relegated to internet
sites and chat room discussions for two years, have
in a sense been vindicated (as the quack theories
have been dismissed and thus disentangled from the
more grounded questions). You have also vindicated
the profession of television journalism, and demonstrated
to perfection the true potential of journalism in
a democratic society."
D. Bodrug
London, Ontario
"I just
thought to let you know that I found that program
a master piece
in journalistic investigation.
I am not completely convinced, that
there is a conspiracy about Sept 11 WTC
attack, but I am intrigued by the facts which were
presented in the program.
I think that the program warrants
to be shown again and offered to the american people
for consideration about how their government tries
to keep valuable info
from them, info that they are entitled to know about."
Mike Stichnoth
Vancouver, BC
"I just
watched Bob McKeown tonight on the Fifth Estate
and just wanted to say how impressed I was.
Without sensationalism, or glitz it was every bit
absorbing as a light show on Canada day. It was
great to watch something that feeds the mind and
makes you think.
I've always disagreed with the dictum that viewers
are for the most part mindless and networks should
provide them with shows for the most part that are
either variations of "Jerry Springer"
or talk shows that talk about nothing of any real
importance. So, the networks are either appealing
to the lowest common denominator or the entrenched
mediocrity of the viewer. On top of this they blame
the viewer by saying this is what they really want.
I was also really impressed with the research that
was done for your show tonight. I'm not sure if
American viewers are able to get the CBC, but if
they are , Bob McKeown sent them a wonderful gift
tonight i.e the gift of clarity. Thanks for a great
show."
Pamela Mac Neil
"Wow! Really enjoyed
your program tonight.
You've done an amazing job of "connecting the
dots" and leaving us to grasp for answers to
what seems like plausible conclusions - as incredible
as they might seem. I'm even more skeptical and
suspicious of politicians and international financiers
than ever before.
I feel so badly for the families of those killed
on 9 / 11 and in the bombings leading up that heinous
date. They must feel very badly betrayed by their
own government. If not conspiracy, perhaps "complicity"?
I hope your program invokes a such a furor that
others will build on your start. I suspect the we
have just heard the proverbial tip of the iceberg;
my hope is that the full story may one day be told."
Name Withheld
"I found it very interesting
because a lot of people, myself included do not
take what happened at face value. Why should
we believe the US when they are so selective in
what they present and how they present it.
In the meantime the US was able to justify two wars
and thousands of casualties not to mention humiliation
to the peoples of Afghanistan and Iraq.
It is important that you continue your investigative
reporting because this is what journalism should
be about. Keep challenging our minds and good work.
Please re-air this soon."
Bassel E.
"I would like to applaud
the CBC and the producers of the Fifth Estate
for their work on last night's episode entitled
"Conspiracy Theories. You have touched on a
subject that has been brushed aside and have done
so in a mature and responsible way.
I look forward to future shows that will continue
to wake up viewers and force
us as North American's to pursue the truth of September
11th."
P. Stanford
"Kudos!!!!!
Last night's show was one of the most timely and
provocative
pieces I've seen on tv recently; the kind
of stuff I only read in the
Guardian. I hope you got a good audience. One note,
though, lighten up
on the video effects: the show is interesting enough
and the attempt to
make it look more sexy is distracting and at time
irritating.
This summer and fall I have heard
many complaints from colleagues in
the States who work either in the arts-- including
television--or in
academia. They all testify to an amazing degree
of censorship and
government control in the circulation of ideas and
images, having not
only to do with notions of the "unpatriotic,"
but more broadly
anything that deviates from very conservative accounts
of history and
society. What struck me is not only their accounts
of the new system,
but the fact that none of laid formal complaints--I
sense a fear of
even rocking the boat, and these are what I think
of as powerful people
working in powerful institutions. It strikes me
as a new McCarthyism is
upon them. You should do something on that.
Thanks for a great show."
R. Fung
Toronto
"I'm the consulting editor
of a NYC-based magazine, Satya. While streaming
the CBC radio program, The Current o'er breakfast
this morning, I listened with great interest to
Fifth Estate's Bob McKeown detailing the curious
links between conspiracy theories and very troubling
(read as legitimate) concerns re: ties between the
Bushes and Bin Laden family.
Your work touches on some very provocative,
salient issues that have yet to reach the consciousness
of the US public."
Lawrence Carter-Long
Brooklyn, NY
"Fabulous program, congratulations
on superlative broadcast. I am looking forward
to a repeat broadcast, when can I expect to see
it? This is an award winner, well produced, edited
overall quality measure up to my standards. Keep
up the good work. Proud to see this quality of work."
W. DeBruycker
Cranbrook BC
"My name is Marcin Zak
and I live in Seattle. Last night I was watching
your programme on the conspiracy theory and the
frightening ties between the bush and Bin Laden
families. I get my news only from the CBC, BBC or
the French news because the american media does
not or will not report such things for whatever
reason. I find your journalism very insightful and
thought provoking and felt I should commend you.
I just wish the american media enough balls to ask
the same tough questions and not the trivial trash
they produce."
M. Zak
Seattle, Washington
"I watched
your program on the Saudi links to the Bush family
and found it
fascinating.
I have always found CBC shows such
as yours and other news programs the most thorough
and informative ones I have found including CNN
shows. CBC does
news unbiased and thorough like no other except
maybe the BBC. Keep up the
great work!"
M. MacDougall
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