CBC News host Wendy Mesley has been suspended during an investigation into her use of an unspecified word during an off-air editorial discussion about racial issues.

Mesley was removed from hosting The Weekly with Wendy Mesley, a 30-minute Sunday morning news show from CBC Toronto.

According to Canadaland, the incident took place during preparations for an episode about Black Lives Matter and media coverage of racial issues.

On June 9, Mesley posted an apology on social media. She alleges that she did not direct the word at anyone and was quoting someone who was to be featured on the show.

“In the context of an editorial discussion about current issues regarding race, I used a word that should never be used,” she stated. “I was quoting a journalist we were intending to interview on a panel discussion about coverage of racial inequality.”

She also said she was “careless” with her language and was “wrong to say it”.

“Regardless of my intention, I hurt people and for that I am very sorry,” she said. “I am also deeply ashamed.”

https://twitter.com/WendyMesleyCBC/status/1270399304222543872

An internal investigation is underway but no further details have been revealed.

CBC’s coverage of anti-Black issues and protests following the death of George Floyd have come under scrutiny and criticism.

CBC News admitted that the presentation of a truncated video clip of New York Police Department vehicles, which ended before showing the vehicles driving into a crowd of protestors, did not meet their journalistic standards.

In addition, former Canadian politician Stockwell Day stepped down from his role as a commentator on CBC News’ Power and Politics after he made comments on the show denying systemic racism in Canada. He also left senior positions at Telus and McMillan LLP.