The Sunday Magazine for May 7, 2023
This week on The Sunday Magazine with Piya Chattopadhyay:
The road ahead for King Charles III and the monarchy
After Saturday's coronation, King Charles will continue to further define himself and his priorities as monarch. And while a recent BBC-commissioned poll suggests Brits are still invested in the monarchy, some countries in the Commonwealth are increasingly questioning its utility and legacy of colonialism. Former CBC News London bureau chief and author Ann MacMillan joins Chattopadhyay to share her reflections on the coronation ceremony, her first-hand knowledge of King Charles, and how she thinks he may approach his role differently than Queen Elizabeth.
Former crime reporter calls for a reckoning in the business of bad news
There's been no shortage in alarming headlines recently on the prevalence of crime and violence. But should we also be thinking about how these news stories are being told and consumed? Former crime reporter Tamara Cherry says it's time to overhaul the way the media approaches crime coverage – by centering the needs of victims and their loved ones. She joins Chattopadhyay to talk about her book The Trauma Beat; The Case for Re-Thinking the Business of Bad News, which explores how interactions with journalists can re-harm and traumatize survivors and victims, and how journalists themselves end up damaged by the toll of the daily news cycle.
Former CSIS officer explores her years of fighting terrorists, spies, and institutional racism
When Huda Mukbil joined Canada's spy agency in 2002, she was excited about the prospect of using her skills to protect Canadians from the threats of the post-9/11 world. As one of the only Black Arab-Canadian intelligence officers at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service who could speak fluent Arabic, Mukbil says she was valued at work – until she decided to start wearing a hijab in 2004. Over the ensuing 13 years, Mukbil claims she faced repeated instances of Islamophobia, discrimination and reprisals for speaking out within CSIS. She joins Chattopadhyay to discuss her experiences and new book, Agent of Change: My Life Fighting Terrorists, Spies and Institutional Racism.
That's Puzzling! for May 2023
In the latest edition of our monthly challenge That's Puzzling!, Chattopadhyay competes against one familiar voice and one clever listener in a battle of brain games devised by puzzle master Peter Brown. Playing along this month are Shirra Wall of Nanaimo, B.C., and Elamin Abdelmahmoud, the host of Commotion on CBC Radio.
Meet the sculptor charged with bringing King Charles to British coins
One place we'd expect to see a new monarch's reign reflected in our everyday lives is on our money. An image of King Charles III is due to replace that of the late Queen Elizabeth II on Canada's coins in the coming months and our $20 bill in the coming years. But people in the United Kingdom are already starting to find his face in their pocket change. British sculptor Martin Jennings was tasked with bringing Charles's likeness to a new coin. He reflects on how he aimed to create a "classic image that can last throughout the ages," and also reveals whether or not he hid the image of a bird in his depiction of the King's head.
