Radio-Canada has suspended journalist Élisa P. Serret after she claimed Jews “run” big cities, Hollywood, and U.S. politics — remarks denounced as classic antisemitic lies by community leaders and a Canadian government minister.
A reporter at Radio-Canada, the French-language arm of the CBC, was removed from the air after broadcasting comments steeped in long-debunked antisemitic canards. Clips from the segment show Élisa P. Serret asserting that “big cities are run by Jews,” that “Hollywood is run by Jews,” and that Jews “fund a lot of American politics.” Those statements were widely condemned as toxic and dangerous stereotyping.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) flagged the clip and called the remarks “one of the worst antisemitic lies.” Canada’s Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Steven Guilbeault, denounced the remarks as “pernicious antisemitic tropes” that “have absolutely no place on Canadian airwaves,” warning that such language by trusted journalists risks normalizing hatred.
Radio-Canada confirmed the journalist was relieved of her duties “until further notice,” stressing that the comments “contravene Radio-Canada’s journalistic standards and practices and in no way reflect the opinion of the public broadcaster.” CIJA urged the broadcaster to undertake serious internal reflection on the damage hateful rhetoric inflicts on democratic values.
This swift action underscores a vital principle: public media must not platform age-old conspiracies that scapegoat Jews. Holding journalists accountable protects both vulnerable communities and the integrity of public discourse.
