Seems Ivan Court was on to something about bias at the Telegraph Journal
When I heard this morning that Saint John Mayor Ivan Court had cancelled his Telegraph Journal subscription and was now refusing to do interviews with anyone from the T.J. short of debating publisher Jamie Irving, my first thought was here’s another politician upset about media coverage and choosing to shoot the messenger.
Or maybe not.
Telegraph Journal Editor Shawna Richer responded by telling CBC Radio that Court’s criticism is misguided and the T.J. is simply doing its job as an advocate.
There’s where Richer lost me.
She has admitted a journalistic publication has a bias and an agenda. The paper isn’t supposed to be an advocate of anything. Granted we know bias exists but at least most media outlets try at least a thinly veiled attempt at trying to hide when they’re pushing an agenda. Richer had admitted the T.J. in fact is out to “get” the City.
Is it any wonder Court doesn’t want to talk to them.
This isn’t about hiding the facts. The T.J. and any media outlet should and in fact must report the facts. They also must do their very best to present the various sides of a story in a fair and equitable manner. Then it’s up to the public to decide. The T.J. has crossed that line into advocate journalism and taking a stand instead of simply reporting the news.
Given that who can blame Court for not being suspicious of their motives. Frankly anyone being interviewed by the Telegraph Journal would be perhaps wise to first ask, “What’s your agenda on this story?” since admittedly they have one, at least when it comes to the City of Saint John.
Crossposted - Spink About It
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Ummmm, er, ... are you people "just" waking up to this?
It's been this way for decades; practically every paper/television station in the Maritimes, owned by one business "interest".
Glad to see Tim's aroma is finally permeating the air in Saint John rather than the Pulp Mill (who owned that, ... do they have an "agenda", ... I wonder).
The biggest myth perpetrated in this country IS THE MYTH the media is bias towards the Liberals!
EXAMPLE: Steve Murphy's interview with Mr.Dion!
So glaringly Conservative bias {complete with promise not to air no less} that NO ONE should be commenting about Liberal bias in the media!!!