A prominent CBC national correspondent has dramatically resigned, launching a scathing public indictment of the broadcaster's diversity and inclusion policies, which he describes as "tokenistic" and fundamentally flawed.
Travis Dhanraj, an award-winning journalist known for his political coverage, announced his departure in a powerful LinkedIn post that has since sent ripples through Canadian media circles. He did not hold back, stating his resignation was a direct result of the corporation's "performative activism" and its failure to create a genuinely inclusive environment.
'A Box-Ticking Exercise'
In his blistering critique, Dhanraj alleged that the CBC used his visible minority status as a "diversity token." He expressed profound disillusionment, feeling his identity was leveraged for corporate publicity while the underlying issues of racism and exclusion within the organisation's culture were ignored.
"My lived experience and identity were used as a convenient box-ticking exercise," he wrote, highlighting a stark contrast between the corporation's public-facing commitments to equity and the reality for employees of colour behind the scenes.
A Call for Authentic Change
Dhanraj's resignation letter transcends a personal grievance; it serves as a direct challenge to the CBC and other major institutions. He called for a move away from superficial gestures and demanded "authentic, structural change" that goes beyond hiring practices to address the daily experiences of minority staff.
His decision to speak out so publicly is a rare move, shedding light on the internal struggles many face in predominantly white workplace environments, even those that outwardly champion progressive values.
CBC's Response and Industry Reckoning
The public resignation has ignited a fierce debate on social media and within the journalism community. It forces an uncomfortable conversation about the state of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in Canadian newsrooms.
While the CBC has acknowledged his departure, the industry now watches to see if this powerful act of protest will catalyse the meaningful reform Dhanraj and others are demanding, or if it will be dismissed as an isolated incident.
