"Rather than facilitating an informed discussion about public service, identity, and free expression, the segment endorsed the dangerous idea that support for Palestinian rights — particularly when voiced by racialized public servants — is grounds for censorship."
March 27, 2025
To:
AM640 Talk Radio Management
Corus Entertainment
Dear AM640 Management,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express deep concern regarding the March 24, 2025 segment of The Alex Pierson Show, which discussed the Toronto Police Service’s suspension of podcast production following an episode featuring two Muslim liaison officers.
Rather than facilitating an informed discussion about public service, identity, and free expression, the segment endorsed the dangerous idea that support for Palestinian rights — particularly when voiced by racialized public servants — is grounds for censorship.
The officers’ podcast, which reportedly discussed the dangers of labelling all Palestinian rallies as “Hamas rallies,” was framed by the show as beyond the pale. The guest, Toronto City Councillor John Burnside, referred to the officers as “clowns” and dismissed their participation in outreach efforts as inappropriate — not because of any misconduct, but purely based on their expression of political and cultural identity.
Even more disturbing, the segment openly pushed for institutional censorship. Councillor Burnside asked:
“Who is getting into our government enterprises... making sure that these conversations are happening? Because it is corroding our systems.”
This kind of vague, conspiratorial, and racialized language paints Muslim and pro-Palestinian voices as infiltrators — not as legitimate contributors to public life. It fuels suspicion, stokes fear, and directly threatens free speech and democratic pluralism in Canada.
Instead of contextualizing the officers’ remarks or exploring the widespread concern about Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism, the show doubled down on the notion that any solidarity with Palestinians is suspect. This constitutes a suppression of legitimate political expression, especially harmful in a climate where Palestinian voices are already systemically marginalized.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees freedom of expression. Furthermore, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Code of Ethics, enforced by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC), underscores the broadcaster’s responsibility to present issues of public controversy in a full and fair manner:
- Clause 6 – Full, Fair and Proper Presentation: Broadcasters must ensure that opinion and comment are presented fairly across all formats.
- Clause 7 – Controversial Public Issues: In a democracy, it is essential that all sides of public issues be treated fairly and provided opportunity for representation.
This segment failed on both counts. By promoting institutional censorship of pro-Palestinian speech without offering any counterbalance or platform for Palestinian or Muslim perspectives, the show advanced an imbalanced and exclusionary narrative.
I respectfully request that AM640 issue a public clarification affirming those political expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people — including resistance to Islamophobia and the framing of rallies — are protected forms of speech and do not constitute grounds for discipline or censorship.
If AM640 does not take steps to correct or address the bias and suppression promoted in this segment, CJPME will consider submitting a formal complaint to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.
I look forward to your response.
Anthony Issa
Media Analyst
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East