In a shocking turn of events, CTV has decided to part ways with Rachel Gilmore, ending her brief involvement with CTV Your Morning after just one appearance.

The network’s decision came swiftly after her debut on March 25, when Gilmore was brought on to join the morning show every Friday to provide election fact-checking, as noted here.

Rachel Gilmore Fired

The decision to remove her was seemingly made by CTV Your Morning‘s executive producer, Jennifer MacLean, who informed Gilmore of the move during a phone conversation. “I’m sure you’re well aware of the pushback we received after your first appearance on the show,” MacLean told Gilmore, adding that the situation was becoming “a distraction from what we are trying to do.” The segment, which aimed to address election-related misinformation, was axed following backlash from some viewers.

Rachel Gilmore Twitter

Gilmore, who is known for her work in journalism and as a fact-checker, expressed her disappointment on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I’m devastated, but I’m also angry,” she wrote, addressing the circumstances surrounding her departure. “I’m angry because this is an attack on press freedom.” She also emphasized the broader implications of the decision, questioning the impact of public criticism on journalists who seek to do important work. “If opportunities can be stripped from journalists simply because enough people repeat the same bad-faith narrative, how can anyone withstand the career impact of doing work that matters?” she asked.

In a candid statement on TikTok, Gilmore also pointed out that the situation was a direct result of the harassment she faced online.

Gilmore, online, expressed that this wasn’t just a professional setback but also a real personal impact of sustained harassment. Gilmore also revealed that she recorded the phone call with CTV because she feared the network would be “spineless” and ultimately “caved” to the pressure and public backlash.

Rachel Gilmore Reddit

The Reddit discussion surrounding Rachel Gilmore’s departure from CTV has sparked strong opinions. Some users criticized her for being biased and unqualified. Others pointed out her firing from Global and her shift to becoming independent, speculating that it was due to a lack of professional opportunities.

A few users highlighted her fact-checking segment, where they felt inaccuracies were present, especially concerning the Prime Minister’s election status. Another comment discussed her public emotional reaction to the situation, expressing mixed feelings, with some feeling slight sympathy, but others claiming she was responsible for ruining others’ careers and enjoying it. There were also mentions of other Canadian media figures, like Dean Blundell, as examples of journalists with controversial careers.

The thread reflects a broad spectrum of opinions, from criticism of her work and biases to a more sympathetic take on her personal situation. Some users were frustrated with the content and fact-checking standards, while others were more focused on Gilmore’s role in the larger media landscape.

This incident has sparked a larger conversation about press freedom, harassment in journalism, and the pressures media outlets face in the current climate. Gilmore’s departure marks the end of her brief tenure at CTV, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the network’s approach to election fact-checking and political commentary moving forward.