Public relations defense of Conservative policy
Here’s another reflection in my ongoing series on Dan Gardner’s article from the Ottawa Citizen about women who choose to wear the Niqab…
Journalism
I enjoy to think critically about journalism. I support good journalism and I do think that journalism can be an important contributor to a healthy democracy. But it’s not clear to me that journalism always has been, or is currently. Maybe it is. But how would we know?
Scott Stinson’s defense of John Crosbie’s racist joke
I don’t make a habit of reading the National Post. It’s what Conservative Party members read. But I did see an article from Friday, November 4. It was on page three. I was immediately struck by the overt racism and decided to try to engage the author, Scott Stinson, by Twitter…
National Post amplifies racism by the Lieutenant Governor General of Newfoundland and Labrador, John Crosbie
For anyone that hasn’t heard, John Crosbie told a joke about a Pakistani suicide bomber last week. Strangely, it occurred at the inauguration of his new position as Lieutenant Governor General of Newfoundland and Labrador. The joke was racist. The provincial government of Newfoundland has admonished Crosbie, saying the joke was inappropriate. But they came…
The significance of the news brand
Folks have always understood that the various news outlets have brands. But I think this understanding has been superficial.
Why Brigette DePape is more thoughtful than David Akin
If you don’t know the name, Brigette DePape, you should. She risked, and lost, her job to say what most Canadians believe. Maude Barlow thinks she is “courageous and committed.” Elizabeth May thought that she undertook an act of personal courage. And, importantly, DePape’s press release and other publications are thoughtful and articulate. But my…
Globe & Mail, the Conservatives, and the right wing
Today’s argument takes the form of reductio ad absurdum. Premise 1: Canada’s newspaper of record would only endorse a centrist political party. Premise 2: The Globe & Mail is Canada’s newspaper of record…
Challenges for the modern journalist
Okay. I’ve been very critical of journalists and newspapers that are getting it wrong on climate change: here and here and here. But you should know that I have moments of being more, well, sympathetic with the modern journalist. I also believe that healthy journalistic institutions are essential for a healthy democracy. But our democracy…
Hey, Calgary Herald, you suck on climate change destabilization
Here’s a fun thing that you can try at home. It’s a simple form of media analysis. The result of this particular analysis leads me to think bad thoughts about Canwest. But that’s just me. Here’s what I did. First I went to the Calgary Herald website. But you can pick any online media outlet…