I’m flattered! According to the newspaper 24 Hours I’m No. 10 on the list causing grief and discomfort to Vision’s rulers at City Hall.
And according to 24 Hours reporter Bob Mackin (who is a mere No. 12) Vision’s insiders have decided they “need to do something about” the 15 of us on what the newspaper called Vision’s media ”hit list”
Stalin would be so proud!
But I have to confess: I’ve been on much bigger loathed lists than Vision’s!
Let’s see … in 35 years of reporting… there was, of course, Lucien Bouchard, who tried to slide, skate and slip away from some tough questions from this BRITISH Columbian, and finally, in exasperation, demanded a question in French from the scrum …so I asked the same questions: en francais. I’m sure I made it on his list … but it wasn’t for Christmas greetings..
When I worked on the Hill in Ottawa, I also got the last “Fuddle Duddle” from Pierre Trudeau before he left office … after a story in which I quoted him was raised in the Commons by NDP MP Ian Waddell. And Trudeau was furious. (But when we met a few years later in First Class on a flight from Asia (I was on points! 
he was friendly and we reminisced … even spending time together in an otherwise empty departure lounge away from the crowds on a refueling/passenger stop in Hong Kong).
As for the NDP, I’ve also had the affable (ha!) Jack Layton walk away from me when I apparently pressed him too hard. And I hear some of my blogs on the provincial NDP’s election campaigning, leader, policies etc also haven’t gone over too well. (No Order of BC for me when they get in!
And Mulroney used to hate it when … after he often pretended not to hear my pointed questions on why his government had so much funding so often for Quebec and so little so seldom for B.C … so I’d simply ask ”Have you got a moment for Western Canadians, Sir?” as he strolled by deafly … and I’d use that on air… along with my own signature on camera ending:” I guess not!” Grrrr!
“Harvey, I like you better without the microphone,” Mulroney wrote on a PMO picture snapped of me trying to question him on the Hill. But I was never audited by Canada Revenue … thanks Brian!
And then there’s Gordon Campbell: known him since the early 70s, when he was assistant to Mayor Art Phillips and I covered City Hall for the Vancouver Sun … right through to my retirement in 2006. When I called his Press Secretary Mike Morton to inform him in advance of the pending announcement, he told me the Premier would be calling me. Still waiting! Must have been on some list of his too!
And even amongst my media colleagues, I have asked such tough questions and written such critical articles on this blog, trying to defend the craft from deterioration, I was called “Judas” by my old Assignment Editor and am no longer invited to station retirement parties etc.
After a couple of years of blogging, I was also dropped by the Jack Webster Awards as a judge. And no Lifetime Achievement Award for me, despite all my previous winnings, and journalistic accomplishments! I guess I wasn’t corporate enough … those who fund the thing. But I believe Jack, who was instrumental in getting me to join BCTV, would still really be proud of me .. and this blog, especially my media critiques.
As you can see, I was … and believe I still am …an equally motivated sh*t disturber …. asking tough questions of all those in power …. and not just being satisfied with “a c lip” … any clip. The readers and viewers deserve real answers to real questions.
What too many politicians never seem to grasp is that when they are IN POWER, the real journalist … who was so sympathetic to them in opposition or on the fringe … has a whole new role to play.
We should ask tough questions; we must expose the flaws in their plans; we do enjoy using their own old quotes against them when they, now in power, change positions; and it’s our job to ferret out clips where they call citizens hacks, to expose any waste of public funds, to report rewards to their friends or turn into dictators, pushing their agendas, without accommodation or care or concern for those they hurt in the process.
So Im proud to still be in the Top 10 … thanks to this little blog.
And Vision should consider themselves lucky! After all … I’m retired! If still working, I would try even harder, to be Number One!
Harv Oberfeld
10 responses so far ↓
1 Christopher Richardson // Sep 3, 2010 at 1:43 am
Do reporters ever retire? I was delighted to hear that you are still at it — # 10 in the ‘top 15 most reviled civic affairs reporters’ is not too shabby … imagine if you were still working.
Love some coverage on how the Park Board is being underfunded by City Hall – again. If only costs of living increases are being covered and new 2010 facilities are being staffed — why are there significant budget shortfalls to be dealt with again? For this year’s (2010) budget – one-time ‘voluntary contributions’ of $ 1.2 million were provided by the various Community Associations — and still the canceled terminated employee positions are being eliminated. Sad that the Community Associations are being ‘hounded’ for money to balance operating budgets and no one appreciates that the community’s money will not be there to subsidize local programs or assist when capital projects are pursued. Sad and surprising … given this Park Board’s ‘people agenda’.
Sorry to jump on a ‘hobby- horse’ on such a nice day … but I see the clouds rolling in.
(Response: I’ve known Chris, former Park Board Commissioner, for more than 30 years, baxck to nhis days in university. Never heard him complain about the media … even when heat was applied to the board. h.o)
2 Wilson // Sep 3, 2010 at 4:35 am
This one is a hellava post Oberfeld. I don’t really know what to think of politicians and the media at times but at least you made me think about it from the media’s point of view. Or at least your point of view. Who knows what some of the so called media think these days.
What I have figured out is that a polticians in opposition seem to become completely different people if they ever get into power.
Robertson made people think he really cared about business when the Cambie street construction was going on and now he could care less how many business owners he forces into the gutter as long as a cycling lane is involved.
Where the caring Gregor Robertson of Cambie Street concern go ? He seems gone and now cares more about his office reno’s.
I don’t what the hell happens to people when they get power. Maybe power does corrupt ?
I have to go and find a cold beer somewhere. Thanks again Oberfeld. You give old goats like me something to think about.
(Response: Glad you can now understand “the system” of how things change once a party takes power. The best …or worst example … I ever expereinced was in Ottawa. The Tories loved me when they were in Opposition …esp BC MPs who were nobodies to the Eastern media …but were always given time and exposure by me as the ONLY TV reporter on the Hill fulltime from BC or the West. And I gave them lots of air time to express BC’s point of view and criticise the Libs for ignoring BC and they loved my hard questions to Ministers etc etc Then the Tories took power, under Mulroney, and all of a sudden, they didn’t like my questions to Ministers anymore and when I gave lots of air time to the new Opposition … the Libs or the NDP claiming the West/BC was being ignored etc many of the Tories saw me as a “turncoat” because I was no longer their “friend”. Most of them just didn’t understand the role of a reporter. I think Vision is like that too h.o)
3 D. M. Johnston // Sep 3, 2010 at 5:34 am
Ah, to be on a top ten media hit list, such is the success of a true reporter!
So here is the so-called media hit list:
1.Mike Klassen (citycaucus.com)
2.Alex Tsakumis (alexgtsakumis.com)
3.Daniel Fontaine (citycaucus.com)
4.Marisa Thomas (Global TV)
5.Wayne Moriarty (The Province)
6.Christy Clark (CKNW)
7.Jill Bennett (CKNW)
8.Janet Brown (CKNW)
9.Jeff Lee (The Vancouver Sun)
10.Harvey Oberfeld (harveyoberfeld.ca)
11.Charlie Smith (The Georgia Straight)
12.Bob Mackin (24 hours)
13.Mike Howell (The Courier)
14.Mark Hasiuk (The Courier)
15.Geoff Dembicki (The Tyee)
I would say congratulations to the top 15 media types to be on Vision Vancouver media hit list and I only wish that there were more familiar mainstream media types on board!
4 Stan Mortensen // Sep 3, 2010 at 6:21 am
Harvey – you see people do read your blog and react, that’s what made you a great reporter was getting them to react and I suspect you hopefully hoped to find some truth in their comments.
I recall speaking with Phil Gaglardi at one time where he repeated what he said many times over about reporting, he did not care what reporters said about him so long as they spelled his name right. Politicians used to have thick skins and took criticism well.
I believe good journalism, especially the type of journalism you did, is to get to the truth of a matter and to know when your chain is being yanked and react accordingly.
Maybe it’s just me, but when parties and politicians get thin skinned, I have to wonder why, what are they hiding?
Anyway, keep up the reporting in retirement, your views and observations as important today (if not more so) than when you were gainfully employed. Like many folks who read and sometimes comment on your comments, know that we appreciate your candor. Don’t always agree in you but at least I and your readers know that you do care about the world around you.
Keep it up and hopefully, you’ll hit the top 5, there is honour in that.
(Response: Thanks for your kind words. I truly loved reporting…telling my stories …and hopefully keeping those in power at least somewhat on their toes and letting the public know what was really going on with their money etc. I’m enjoying blogging too …but that’s only a hobby and I’m happy to provide a forum where others too can put forward their ideas, suggestions and points of view, even if they disagree totally with my views … although how they could do that I still find a mystery!
h.o.
5 Ruraidh // Sep 3, 2010 at 6:48 am
Well said
.There is a shrinking band of men and women who were trained to think and act as journalists, without fear or favour. I am glad there are still some around , otherwise the hordes of media manipulators (who masquerade as communications directors) will get their way.
We, the public will be poorer for it.
Perhaps the best metaphor is that those can (act as journalists) do, those who can’t, become political communications directors.
Which will now get me on someone’s list as a nasty blogger.
(Response: Welcome. Maybe we should set up an Oppressed Bloggers Healing Group …and apply for federal and provincial grants? Don’t think we’d get a municipal one. Actually, looking back at my writings and our discussions on here, we wouldn’t get a provincial or federal one either. And the MSM media wouldn’t cover our cause. We must press on alone …. by the tens of thousands. h.o)
6 jack bennest // Sep 3, 2010 at 12:44 pm
I am hurt Harvey that I am not on the list – but alas – I am not there to participate. Maybe that time will come.
As a politician I can say municipal politicians are in their mid year – 2011 will bring out more smiles and announcements prior to the election in the fall of next year.
(Response: Yes ..and where is Frosty too???
h.o
7 Lynn // Sep 3, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Isn’t that Moonbeam complaint the same as robbers complaining about alarms, locks, and cameras? The same as car thiefs complaining about the Bait car program?
Is Vision going to put the Canadian Charter on their fantasy list?
They should lay off the cool-aid, or designer water.
The list is a fine compliment to you and your fellow listees!
Congrats, Harvey-for still having what it takes!
(Response: Well, I’d never name-call but you are right about alarams, locks, cameras. That kind of is the role of the media. Look at countries where the media don’t expose problems, wrongdoing or excess. But I’m not really disturbed by Vision’s reaction, if it is indeed true. As I wrote, all parties change their views of the media … the true reporters at least … once in power. And targetting any just makes it all worse for them …bercause the media become aware ..and so do the public. h.o)
8 Burgess // Sep 4, 2010 at 3:13 am
Working in a bank in Kelowna in the early 60′s the Manager and I were EXPECTED to put in an appearance once a month for morning coffee before bank openings. The Bennett family held ‘court’ and politics and business financing by the banks was always the topic of the day. My ‘job’ was to fill a chair and keep quiet. Period. Nod and Mute. Senior Bennett and the two juniors along with their retinue did all the talking. It was no different then and no different today except that the bunch in Victoria today are not business men but bought and paid for ‘Banker’ who are told how to run the Province for the direct benefit of their backers.
9 SC // Sep 4, 2010 at 3:22 am
Speaking of Trudeau, I was automatically reminded by his quote, regarding Nixon,
“I’ve been called worse things by better people.”
However, I think Vision should consider themselves lucky that the likes of Jack Webster aren’t still around. I have a feeling, he’d be right up on the top 10 list.
I do have a question though. What do you make of the fact that there’s only 1 television reporter on there (Marisa Thomas of Global). Is it simply, (a matter that you’ve covered thoroughly) that many reporters being inexperienced, simply can’t do enough with dwindling resources and time, laziness and/or television stations/news directors/other bosses not wanting to rock the boat?
I certainly can imagine if BCTV (from the good ol’ days) was still around, they’d be making hay out of this and surely making Vision’s life a living hell by getting real answers to tough questions and cutting through all the crap.
(Response: I agree with you. We would have had a lot of fun going after this. But it takes a newsdesk that sees the potential, has the editorial spark needed to do it …and reporters able to carry it off. I believe they still have the latter …not many, but a few still quite capable so I wonder if it’s the former they’re lacking these days? I have see many stories that could be done regarding City Hall shenanigans …but they apparently just arent interested. We would have roasted them like chestnuts! h.o. )
10 SB // Sep 4, 2010 at 6:50 am
No matter what they say H.O i can say i grew up watching you always respected what you did and still do , keep going need your work now more than ever.
(Response: Many thanks … it was sure fun. And still is! h.o.)
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