Uncorroborated childhood memories cannot be reported as fact, says the CBC’s Ombudsman. The advisory followed complaints a Manitoba town was unfairly depicted as cruel and bigoted in a Truth and Reconciliation Day story.

“I understand why the reporter and editors would see this as an important issue to explore but with little to no documentation it would not be easy to corroborate the memories of the students,” wrote Ombudsman Jack Nagler. The story “was not the first time, nor will it be the last time, that a reporter would face the dilemma of how to handle allegations that can’t be fully verified.”

CBC Winnipeg in 2022 published an online article alleging crimes against Indigenous chil