''The Fifth Estate'' is an English-language

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

investigative documentary series that airs on the national

CBC Television CBC Television (also known as CBC TV) is a Canadian English-language broadcast television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster. The network began operations on September 6, 1952. Its French- ...

network. The name is a reference to the term " Fourth Estate", and was chosen to highlight the program's determination to go beyond everyday news into original journalism. The program has been on the air since 16 September 1975, and its primary focus is on

investigative journalism Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years res ...

. It has engaged in co-productions with the BBC, ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'', ''

The Globe and Mail ''The Globe and Mail'' is a Canadian newspaper printed in five cities in western and central Canada. With a weekly readership of approximately 2 million in 2015, it is Canada's most widely read newspaper on weekdays and Saturdays, although it ...

'', the ''

Toronto Star The ''Toronto Star'' is a Canadian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper. The newspaper is the country's largest daily newspaper by circulation. It is owned by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary of Torstar Corporation and par ...

'', and often with the PBS program ''

Frontline Front line refers to the forward-most forces on a battlefield. Front line, front lines or variants may also refer to: Books and publications * ''Front Lines'' (novel), young adult historical novel by American author Michael Grant * ''Frontlines ...

''. ''The Fifth Estate'' is one of two television programs (with ''The Twilight Zone'' being the first) to win an

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

, a prize presented to theatrical films: ''

Just Another Missing Kid ''Just Another Missing Kid'' is a 1981 Canadian documentary film, directed by John Zaritsky, about the search for a missing Ottawa teenager. Summary Eric Wilson had left his native Ottawa in July 1978 in a Volkswagen camper on a trip to Boulder, ...

'', originally a ''The Fifth Estate'' episode, was released in theatres in the United States and won the 1982 Academy Award for Documentary Feature.

Journalists

Journalists associated with the show, past and present, include: *

Theresa Burke Theresa Frances Veronica Burke is a Canadian writer, journalist and producer for the CBC's television newsmagazine, '' The Fifth Estate''. She was born in Toronto. On May 20, 1999, Burke was on the telephone with bank robber Ty Conn, an escapee ...

* Marie Caloz *

Stevie Cameron Stevie Cameron, , (, Stephanie Graham Dahl; born 11 October 1943) is a Canadian investigative journalist and author. Early life and work Stephanie "Stevie" Graham Dahl was born in Belleville, Ontario, to Harold Edward Dahl, a mercenary Americ ...

* Harvey Cashore * Adrienne Clarkson * Neil Docherty * Gillian Findlay * Declan Hill *

Hana Gartner Hana Gartner CM is a retired Canadian investigative journalist who is best known as the host and interviewer of several programs for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Early life and education Gartner was born in 1948 in Prague, Czechoslov ...

* Ron Haggart * Bob Johnstone *

Mark Kelley Mark Kelley is a Canadian television journalist, associated with CBC News. Formerly a correspondent and substitute anchor for '' The National'' and a host of '' CBC News: Morning'', he hosted '' Connect with Mark Kelley'' on CBC News Network fr ...

* Joe MacAnthony * Linden MacIntyre * Bob McKeown * Sheila MacVicar * Victor Malarek * Eric Malling * Habiba Nosheen * Ian Parker * Francine Pelletier * Sally Reardon * Peter Reilly *

Glenn Sarty Glenn Sarty (September 9, 1930 – February 6, 2007) was a Canadian television producer who was involved in such shows as ''Take Thirty'', '' The Fifth Estate'' and '' Adrienne at Large''. Sarty was involved in the creation of the CBC's Academy ...

* David Studer * Robin Taylor *

Warner Troyer Warner Troyer (6 January 1932 – 15 September 1991) was a Canadian broadcast journalist and writer. Troyer was born in Cochrane, Ontario, the son of Gordon Troyer, a Presbyterian circuit minister. He lost his leg at a young age, and later worke ...

* Anna Maria Tremonti * Jim Williamson * Trish Wood

Episodes

News reports aired on ''The Fifth Estate'' have included investigations into and reports about: * 9/11 Truth movement * Death of Ashley Smith *

Airbus affair The Airbus affair refers to allegations of secret commissions paid to members of the Government of Canada during the term of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney (1984–93), in exchange for then-crown corporation Air Canada's purchase of a large number ...

Brian Mulroney Martin Brian Mulroney ( ; born March 20, 1939) is a Canadian lawyer, businessman, and politician who served as the 18th prime minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993. Born in the eastern Quebec city of Baie-Comeau, Mulroney studied political s ...

and Karlheinz Schreiber *

William Francis Melchert-Dinkel William Francis Melchert-Dinkel (born July 20, 1962) is an American former licensed practical nurse who was convicted in 2011 of encouraging people to commit suicide.Carleton_University.html" ;"title="Rideau River, opposite Carleton University" ...

* Airport Security *

Al-Qaeda Al-Qaeda (; , ) is an Islamic extremist organization composed of Salafist jihadists. Its members are mostly composed of Arabs, but also include other peoples. Al-Qaeda has mounted attacks on civilian and military targets in various countr ...

in Europe * Benny Hinn *

Brendan Burke Brendan Gilmore Burke (December 8, 1988 – February 5, 2010) was an athlete and student manager at Miami University for the RedHawks men's ice hockey team. The youngest son of Brian Burke, former general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, lo ...

* Brandon Crisp *

Chris Benoit Christopher Michael Benoit (; May 21, 1967 – June 24, 2007) was a Canadian professional wrestler. He worked for various pro-wrestling promotions during his 22-year career including most notably the World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestlin ...

("Wrestler: Fight to the Death") * Chuckie Akenz *

Charles Manson Charles Milles Manson (; November 12, 1934November 19, 2017) was an American criminal and musician who led the Manson Family, a cult based in California, in the late 1960s. Some of the members committed a series of nine murders at four loca ...

and the Manson Family * Scouts Canada * Communications Security Establishment *

David Frost Sir David Paradine Frost (7 April 1939 – 31 August 2013) was a British television host, journalist, comedian and writer. He rose to prominence during the satire boom in the United Kingdom when he was chosen to host the satirical programme ...

and Mike Danton * École Polytechnique massacre ("Montreal Massacre – Legacy of Pain") * Jian Ghomeshi * Rob Ford *

Dick Cheney Richard Bruce Cheney ( ; born January 30, 1941) is an American politician and businessman who served as the 46th vice president of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. He is currently the oldest living former ...

MIM-104 Patriot The MIM-104 Patriot is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, the primary of its kind used by the United States Army and several allied states. It is manufactured by the U.S. defense contractor Raytheon and derives its name from the radar comp ...

and its ineffectiveness during the

Gulf War The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Iraq were carried out in two key phases: ...

as a missile defense system * Guy Paul Morin * Suicide of Amanda Todd * Jane and Finch * Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation ("Luck of the Draw") *

Pierre Vallières Pierre Vallières ( – ) was a Québécois journalist and writer, known as an intellectual leader of the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ). He was the author of the essay ''Nègres blancs d'Amérique'', translated as ''White Niggers of Ame ...

Polygamy Crimes Polygamy (from Late Greek (') "state of marriage to many spouses") is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at the same time, sociologists call this polygyny. When a woman is marr ...

Bountiful, British Columbia Bountiful is a settlement in the Creston Valley of southeastern British Columbia, Canada, near Cranbrook and Creston. The closest community is Lister, British Columbia. Bountiful is made up of members of two polygamist Mormon fundamentalist ...

* PROFUNC *

Steven Truscott Steven Murray Truscott (born January 18, 1945) is a Canadian man who was wrongly convicted and sentenced to death in 1959 for the rape and murder of classmate Lynne Harper. Truscott had been the last known person to see her alive. He was schedule ...

* ''

To Sell a War ''To Sell a War'' is a documentary film, first aired in December 1992 as part of CBC programme '' The Fifth Estate''. The programme was directed and produced by Neil Docherty. It chronicles the Citizens for a Free Kuwait campaign efforts to spin ...

'' *

Tunagate Tunagate was a 1985 Canadian political scandal involving large quantities of tuna that had been declared unfit for human consumption that were sold to the public under order of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, John Fraser. The story broke on ...

* David Russell Williams *

Mark Twitchell Mark Andrew Twitchell (born July 4, 1979) is a Canadian filmmaker convicted of first-degree murder in April 2011 for the murder of John Brian Altinger. His trial attracted particular media attention because Twitchell had allegedly been inspired ...

Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of P ...

* Iglesia ni Cristo *

Julian Assange Julian Paul Assange ( ; Hawkins; born 3 July 1971) is an Australian editor, publisher, and activist who founded WikiLeaks in 2006. WikiLeaks came to international attention in 2010 when it published a series of leaks provided by U.S. Army int ...

Season 34 (2008–09)

The 2008–09 television season was the 34th season of ''The Fifth Estate''.

Season 36 (2010–11)

The 2010–11 television season was the 36th season of ''The Fifth Estate''.

Season 37 (2011–12)

The 2011–12 television season was the 37th season of ''The Fifth Estate''.

Season 38 (2012–13)

The 2012–13 television season was the 38th season of ''The Fifth Estate''.

Season 39 (2013–14)

The 2013–14 television season was the 39th season of ''The Fifth Estate''.

Season 43 (2017–18)

The 2017–18 television season was the 43rd season of ''The Fifth Estate''.

Season 45 (2019–20)

The 2019–20 television season is the 45th season of ''The Fifth Estate''. (Where two episodes appear in one program, a "/" is included between the episodes.)

Season 46 (2020–21)

The 2020–21 television season is the 46th season of ''The Fifth Estate''. (Where two episodes appear in one program, a "/" is included between the episodes.)

Awards

''The Fifth Estate'' has won many awards, including

Gemini Award The Gemini Awards were awards given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television between 1986–2011 to recognize the achievements of Canada's television industry. The Gemini Awards are analogous to the Emmy Awards given in the United States ...

s—among them ten for Best Information Series—numerous domestic investigative journalism awards, many New York and Columbus awards, International Emmys, and in 2000 and 2010 the Michener Award, Canada's top journalism prize, which is open to all media and has only one annual winner. A 2003 co-production with ''The New York Times'' and PBS's ''

'' was recognized with the Pulitzer, Peabody,

Polk Polk may refer to: People * James K. Polk, 11th president of the United States * Polk (name), other people with the name Places * Polk (CTA), a train station in Chicago, Illinois * Polk, Illinois, an unincorporated community * Polk, Missour ...

, and other awards. ''The Fifth Estate'' is one of two television programs (with ''The Twilight Zone'' being the first) to win an

, a prize presented to theatrical films: ''

'', originally a ''The Fifth Estate'' episode, was released in theatres in the United States and won the 1982 Academy Award for Documentary Feature.

Controversies

The Savoie scandal

In 1992, ''The Fifth Estate aired an expose of Inspector Claude Savoie of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, accusing him of being corrupt. On 21 December 1992, Savoie shot himself in his office at the RCMP's headquarters. Many felt that ''The Fifth Estate'' bore some responsibility for Savoie's suicide. Julian Sher of ''The Fifth Estate'' who worked on the Savoie story stated in 2022: “I didn’t kill him, I didn’t load the gun, I didn’t put the gun to his head. He made his choices. I’m not responsible but if Dan and I had decided not to do the story, if we had not covered this stuff, would he be alive? He might have decided to kill himself when the RCMP (investigated him)...The lesson I learned from that is the consequences of our work. For many of the people we tell stories about, it’s their lives and sometimes their deaths."

Libel suit

The CBC was successfully sued for

libel Defamation is the act of communicating to a third party false statements about a person, place or thing that results in damage to its reputation. It can be spoken (slander) or written (libel). It constitutes a tort or a crime. The legal defi ...

over an episode that aired on 27 February 1996. Two doctors were interviewed for an episode about prescription drugs. Both doctors alleged their interviews were unfairly edited to give the false impression they were involved in kickbacks, cover-ups of patient deaths and other disreputable activities. Cardiologist Martin Meyers asked for an apology plus $25,000, while researcher Frans Leenen asked for an apology plus $10,000. The CBC opted to fight the charges in court. The doctors ultimately prevailed. Myers was awarded $200,000, plus interest and costs, while Leenen won $950,000, plus interest and costs that could total over $2 million, a record for Canadian libel. The CBC has no libel insurance. Judges in both cases ruled that journalists at ''The Fifth Estate'' had twisted the facts and acted with malice, with one writing in his decision; "this was sensationalistic journalism of the worst sort and should serve as an embarrassment to this so-called 'flagship' investigative programme." The episode's host Trish Wood, producer Nicholas Regush, the researcher and executive producer David Studer were assessed punitive and aggravated damages.

INC

The CBC and ''The Fifth Estate'' were sued in February 2019 by the Iglesia Ni Cristo after officials said one of the show's broadcasts defamed their church, calling the show "slanderous" and acting "without evidence."

CBC News CBC News is a division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the news gathering and production of news programs on the corporation's English-language operations, namely CBC Television, CBC Radio, CBC News Network, and CBC.ca ...

responded by stating they stand behind the story. The episode in question, "Church of Secrets", which aired on 11 November 2018 and was hosted by Bob McKeown, detailed the controversies surrounding the church, including accusations of financial irregularities, kidnapping, and

the murder "The Murder" is a cinematic score written and composed by Bernard Herrmann for the horror- thriller film '' Psycho'' (1960) directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The score, its second movement in particular, is well recognized as one of the most famous ...

of a Canadian man. In particular, McKeown interviewed the widow of a murder victim allegedly killed by INC members after a series of verbal altercations, as well as following the story of excommunicated ministerial worker Lowell Menorca II, who sought refugee status in Canada. The news crew also attempted for and were denied an interview with

Eduardo V. Manalo Eduardo Villanueva Manalo (; born October 31, 1955, in Quezon City, Philippines) also known as Ka Erdy is the current Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). He is the third generation of the Manalo family to lead the church following ...

after an event in

Sacramento ) , image_map = Sacramento County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sacramento Highlighted.svg , mapsize = 250x200px , map_caption = Location within Sacramento ...

. During the attempt for an interview, their vehicle's tires were slashed, which McKeown suspected was an act of intimidation by INC, though an INC member denied the allegation.

Notes

References

External links

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