The BC NDP has to wake up … and speak up.
In recent blogs (see below) I have detailed how, in my view, the BC mainstream media gave the Premier and his plans/agenda unprecedented access to their airwaves (CTV, Global and others) to make a speech right in the middle of their major evening news shows, followed the next day by what looked to me like a “hyped” government-favorable six-hour CKNW “Special” on the economy the morning after.
During the federal election campaign, it was also easy to discern what I personally felt was the corporate media’s print bias in favor of the Conservatives … and not surprisingly, many of them coincidentally came out in their official editorials in favor of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives. Surprise! Surprise!
In normal times, such bias and favoritism by individual media outlets would not draw so much attention or criticism .. because varied ownership would reflect a variety of political stances and points of view. But in the era of media concentration of ownership and convergence (where corporately-owned media co-ordinate coverage and co-operate with each other) I believe this is a great danger to both our democracy and the equal, free expression of opinion in our society.
After all, a tiny Blog like mine cannot compete for attention in proclaiming the truth and the media dangers we face, when faced with the major media, that measure their audiences in the hundreds of thousands. But it feels good to at least try! (And that’s why I hope YOU will spread this blog around … because the major media sure won’t promote it! LOL)
And it’s time the NDP, and other parties, start speaking out publicly about what has been going on … is going on … and will likely continue to go on right up to the next provincial election.
Or they and democracy will pay a big price for their silence.
I know, from contacts in the Opposition, there HAS been a lot of concern internally about coverage, the lack of coverage, the bias, and the overwhelming imbalance favoring ideologically-driven right wing/conservative talk show programming, columnists, lackadaisical political coverage … resulting in what I have described before as, in my view, the relatively easy ride given the Premier on critical issues, when he/his government have screwed up.
The NDP must dream with envy at ever being treated that way in power. :) Not that I think they should thay have been … but neither should the current government!
I’ve been told the NDP has expressed concerns to some of the media about what they see as a provincially pro-Liberal or federallt pro-Conservative slant in coverage etc. But quite clearly, this working “quietly” behind the scenes has not worked .. at least, not in favor of the left of center point of view.
Unless they are just prepared to sacrifice their fair chance at getting elected, with equal coverage and a fair shake from ”pro” and “anti “ columnists (if not actual editorial opinions), the Opposition should speak out loudly and publicly .. over and over … giving specific examples, every time they see MAJOR bias, pro-Liberal hype or just lazy reporting ignoring government failures.
Let the public know: encourage them to speak out and stand up against any particular promoted media agenda. That’s really the only thing that will make things change: exposing and embarrassing the media when it miserably falls short of fulfilling its responsibilities.
Get people at least talking about it … rather than just let it happen and have the vast public propagandized over time to vote exactly the way the media bosses want them to vote.
And maybe let the CRTC and the Senate Committee on Media Concentration hear about it as well … not that I expect they would actually do anything, but at least by going public with the concerns, the Opposition will be exposing the problem and striking a public blow against one-sided bias. Staying silent only encourages the media to continue with its failings.
Let’s face it: speaking out won’t change the editorial stance of the right-wing-favoring corporate media … but at least by exposing it and drawing attention to it through smaller stations, newspapers and blogs like this, the word will get around.
And those who believe in a free and fair media will sleep better than just by being intellectually victimized … but staying silent.
Harv Oberfeld
7 responses so far ↓
1 Tired of Lies // Oct 26, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Your article takes my breath away.
THANK YOU for printing what I’ve felt in my heart for a long time now.
The opposition parties need to grow a pair and speak out. What the heck have they got to lose at this point? Nothing. They also stand to gain the respect of people like me who wondering why they’re asleep at the switch.
If they don’t stand up for themselves people will only lose respect for them.
Loved the bit about the CRTC. Yup, they’re bulldogs with no teeth, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the liberals and media conglomerates will sit up and scramble if a formal complaint if lodged with the CRTC every time the media panders to the liberals and doesn’t give equal access/treatment to the opposition. No government wants outstanding complaints with a federal body to be out there ready to be used against them. (basi/virk rant implied)
I’d even volunteer to help them do this. I’d wager they’d have no trouble finding some retired gov hacks or retired media people who would be willing to assist. The level of inequity in the media is mind boggling.
ps – you need to get your blog out there in search results for more people to find it. please look into it. I like this blog!
(Response: Spread the Blog!!! Let people know about it ..get folks talking ..mention it on talk shows or community newspapers. Let’s face it … the major media sure won’t promote it (LOL) and I havent even been able, for some reason, to get my articles/analysis included on The Tyee’s Hook, which runs all kinds of political analysis pieces from others. But I keep doing it ..because I care about good journalism, holding politicians’ feet to the fire … and fairness in reporting, especially on political issues. ho)
2 M.C. // Oct 26, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Thanks for the story! Just found your blog via a link on tieleman’s site.
I am deeply sickened by the lack of teeth news orgs show anymore. Keep up the work – you’re filling a big fat void!
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Martin C
Date: 2008/10/26
Subject: Gordon Campbell’s free political advertising.
To: CTV, Global. CHEK
I am deeply disappointed with the total lack of integrity exhibited by your news organization.
You chose to air a 12 minute political campaign speech during the news. As a news organization I would expect you to uphold your ethical and professional responsibility to your audience and ASK PROBING RELEVANT QUESTIONS of the person speaking, and not just accept a one sided presentation.
You have failed your audience. I am very angry with the low levels of credibility this travesty illuminated by your organization. Isn’t there a single person in charge there who could have insisted that this ‘clip’ be treated as a news story and not something that should be run in it’s entirety DURING THE NEWS??
The only questions that remain are – how much were you paid to air this clip? If you weren’t paid for this advertisement (and make no mistake that is EXACTLY what it was – merely dressed up as an ‘emergency’), then will you will of course be offering a similar amount of time for all the other parties in BC to present their views, and dare I say it? – provide a rebuttal? Has the concept of EQUAL AIR TIME for political speeches fallen by the way side along with your integrity?
I will never ever again tune into your stations news. The CBC seems to be the last bastion for credible reporting in British Columbia.
Grow a pair.
3 Olivia // Oct 27, 2008 at 12:57 am
Mr Oberfeld, just to let you know I found out about your blog through a link from The Tyee (when you wrote about the favorable treatment of Mr Campbell by the media-notice nothing has changed?) I will e-mail them that they should put your stuff on their site (your famous, you know). I’m sure it’s not on purpose, your blog is perfect for them. I read your blog all the time (and The Tyee) and like both very much. Whatever your political stripe, this fawning over Mr Campbell by the media is very dangerous and the more information for everyone the better.
(Response: I agree with your concerns about the media giving one politician an easier ride than any other. It does not serve a free society well .. especially in the era of such concentrated ownership. As for your comment on the Tyee .. my blog is on their list of blogs ..but havent seen anything ever included on their Hook. In fact, I wrote to Hook editor Monte Paulson expressing concern about this …but never received a reply. ho )
4 Grant g // Oct 27, 2008 at 1:56 am
I am guilty of spreading your link Harv, Carole James is doing a 15 minute speech from the legislative podium monday at 6.15 pm
I know CKNW is going to run it in its entirety.
I hope CTV and Global run the speech as well,call it even steven and stop the practice.
If the stations have any credibility left they should play the Carole James statement.
Not that it matters much Harv
You and I both know who is going to win both bi-elections.
one party will receive 32% the other pary 54% the rest to the other parties.
cheers
(Response: I agree.. the same stations that carried Campbell DURING their news show should also carry James DURING their news show ..and then STOP the practice. Let anyone who wants to make a speech do so at any other time but NOT during what is supposed to be a NEWS show. ho)
5 Paul // Oct 28, 2008 at 2:25 am
Just found out about your blog today over on bc mary blog. Great to see you Harv. Will gladly pass the word along about your blog. Thanks for being here Harv.
(Response: Thanks ..and feel free to get in on the discussions … agree or disagree ..blogging gives us that freedom! ho)
6 BC Mary // Nov 1, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Harvey,
There’s a small army of propagandists on the Campbell government payroll called Public Affairs Officers. I call them Spin Doctors.
Is it fair … is it even legal … that public employees should be hired with, I allege, the goal of shaping public opinion?
Order-in-Council #656, Sept. 2006, reveals that 185 NEW Spin Doctors were hired in one day … in addition to those already on the payroll, with more hired since then. Price these government employees out even at a median $50,000 p.a. salary and it’s a fair piece of change.
I don’t know, of course, but I do wonder if these weird campaigns about The Golden Era … the Best Place on Earth … and muscling into the 6 o’clock news with a free TV performance … are examples of their work.
I wish it would stop.
.
7 Ron // Nov 4, 2008 at 4:13 am
I love M.C.’s comment to BCTV, CHEK. As of today (Nov.3rd), no sign of Carol James speech anywhere, except tidbits (even though the parts I heard were all same old, same old). Harvey, I’m getting tired of this blather before every election. We have to change election laws somehow!
Make what these people are spewing stick on the pretense if they get elected and are caught lying on the pulpit, federal jail time for them with no parole. This might make some of your friends in the biz lose their jobs (nothing to write about), but doesn’t democracy demand it??? Make everything go before an independent auditor (who’s paid enough not to be swayed by anyone) before it’s made so. I’m sure money will be saved in the long run. And make sure the cases before the courts (like BC Rail etc.) are not reduced to bank windfalls for corporate lawyers. If I have ever seen corporate welfare cases, it’s these shenanigans.
The spending sprees and bull that is thrown around just makes me sick.
Time to change the LAWS!!!! Vive la Revolution !!!!
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