For the Record

For the Record is a Canadian television series that aired on CBC Television from 1976 to 1984, featuring interviews with notable figures such as Pierre Trudeau, Margaret Atwood, and David Suzuki. The show was hosted by Harry Brown and covered a wide range of topics, including Canadian politics, literature, and environmentalism, with guests like Farley Mowat, June Callwood, and Tommy Douglas. The series was known for its in-depth discussions and insightful interviews, often featuring University of Toronto professors and McGill University researchers, as well as National Film Board of Canada documentaries and CBC Radio broadcasts.

● Introduction

For the Record was a groundbreaking television series that showcased the diversity and complexity of Canadian society, with episodes featuring Indigenous peoples like Cree Nation and Inuit, as well as Canadian history and culture, including discussions with Pierre Berton and Peter Gzowski. The show's format, which included interviews with experts and newsmakers, was influenced by other CBC Television programs, such as The National and Front Page Challenge, and featured guests like Knowlton Nash, Barbara Frum, and Peter Mansbridge. For the Record was also compared to other interview-style programs, such as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Meet the Press, with hosts like Johnny Carson and Tim Russert, and featured discussions on topics like the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Quebec referendum, 1980.

● Definition_and_Usage

The term "for the record" is often used in journalism and law to indicate that a statement is being made for the purpose of clarification or correction, as seen in cases like the Watergate scandal and the Iran-Contra affair, involving figures like Richard Nixon and Oliver North. In the context of the television series, For the Record referred to the show's focus on providing accurate and informative discussions on a wide range of topics, including science and technology, with guests like Stephen Hawking and Neil deGrasse Tyson, as well as arts and entertainment, featuring interviews with Leonard Cohen and Jonas Kaufmann. The show's hosts and guests, including University of British Columbia professors and McMaster University researchers, used the term to emphasize the importance of accuracy and truthfulness in their discussions, often referencing The New York Times and The Globe and Mail.

● Historical_Context

For the Record was broadcast during a time of significant social and cultural change in Canada, with episodes featuring discussions on topics like the October Crisis and the Patriation of the Canadian constitution, involving figures like René Lévesque and Pierre Elliott Trudeau. The show's debut in 1976 coincided with the Canadian centennial celebrations, which were marked by events like the Summer Olympics in Montreal and the Canada Games, and featured guests like Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky. The series also aired during a period of significant growth and development in Canadian media, with the launch of new television networks like CTV and Global Television Network, and the expansion of radio stations like CBC Radio One and CBC Radio Two, featuring personalities like Jian Ghomeshi and Shad.

● Modern_Applications

The concept of "for the record" has continued to evolve in modern times, with the rise of social media and online journalism, featuring platforms like Twitter and Facebook, and outlets like The Huffington Post and BuzzFeed. The term is now often used in digital media to indicate that a statement or correction is being made in response to online criticism or misinformation, as seen in cases like the Wikipedia controversy and the Fake news phenomenon, involving figures like Jimmy Wales and Mark Zuckerberg. For the Record's focus on accuracy and truthfulness has also influenced the development of fact-checking initiatives, such as Snopes and FactCheck.org, which aim to verify the accuracy of information in the public domain, often referencing The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times.

● Cultural_Significance

For the Record has had a lasting impact on Canadian culture and society, with its influence evident in the work of documentary filmmakers like Barbara Kopple and Michael Moore, as well as journalists like Nicholas Kristof and Sarah Kendzior. The show's format and style have also been emulated by other television programs, such as The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, featuring hosts like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, and have influenced the development of podcasting and online video content, with platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, and personalities like Joe Rogan and Tim Ferriss. For the Record's legacy continues to be felt in the media landscape, with its emphasis on accuracy, truthfulness, and in-depth discussion remaining essential values in journalism and public discourse, as seen in outlets like The New Yorker and The Atlantic, and events like the Peabody Awards and the Pulitzer Prize. Category:Canadian television series