As the latest chapter involving the extra-curricular activities of a very few of the CBC's most prominent journalists continues to unfold, let's be clear about the key element surrounding the cornerstone issue at play. This is about "the money." It creates a conflict of interest involving these journalists; the money has already changed hands so there is little point in calling it a "perceived" conflict. It undermines the public trust in what these journalists report and it undermines public confidence in the CBC.