Freedom of the Press - But Only if it's Positive Press

Okay, so no more barraging politicians with unruly questions, catching them off guard after Cabinet meetings. In fact, no more un-planned, impromptu questioning by the media, at all. Everything in control.

Stephen Harper doesn't want the public to see any of his Cabinet ministers with a bad tie, bad hair, stuttering words, or giving spontaneous remarks, grimaces, smiles, jokes, or insults. If there is anything important to say, the Prime Minister's Office will release a press release. They will hold press conferences. They will make formal announcements in controlled situations so that they will always, and I mean always, look good, because apparently, reporters who jump to conclusions, make false accusations, or "spin" the news in an intentionally negative way should be jailed or prosecuted since they are being malicious. Objectivity means to report everything as is, without opinion or additional remarks. Heck, even analysis is wrong, since analysis of a situation can sometimes lead to negative opinion of the political party. This is sooo 1984!

Tightening the grip of the media is Harper's way of controlling image. Any attempt to control the media by a political party is always alarming. At what point is the grip too tight? Why does the media need to be tightened anyway? As far as the public has seen, the media has not gone "too far" in their coverage of Harper's cronies. Harper is a power-hungry in-control croney, who can now hide safely in his closet and be the sadist us Lefties knew he always was... oh wait, yes I mean Cabinet meetings.

Take a look at the article below. Even though these comments have been retracted, they were still uttered, and at the time, MP Colin Mayes meant them with conviction. MP Colin Mayes took time to email BC newspapers in the Okanagan-Shuswap region, with some thought and reflection. Like me, he probably took time to carefully edit his sentences and paragraphs - to make sure that everything was clear and made sense. MP Colin Mayes meant what he said, only he retracted it after backlash from the public, and from the press; He retracts the statements out of controversy, and not because he is truly sorry for what he said.

Oh, and take note that now ALL interviews of MPs need to be cleared by the Prime Minister's Office. MPs are no longer able to speak their mind about anything unless Harper agrees with what they have to say, or unless it's about the five agreed-upon priorities of the party. By the way, what are the five priorities??

I hope this party goes away soon, withering and stinking like a pile of steamy poo.


March 31, 2006
MP retracts call to jail reporters
By Terry Pedwell - Canadian Press

OTTAWA (CP) — A Conservative MP is taking back his suggestion that reporters who write distorted news stories should be imprisoned.

In a column e-mailed this week to several B.C. newspapers in his riding of Okanagan-Shuswap, Colin Mayes said that jailing reporters might help the public get accurate information. “Maybe it is time that we hauled off in handcuffs reporters that fabricate stories, or twist information and even falsely accuse citizens,” Mayes wrote.

He seemed to suggest that the media be covered by the Conservative government’s proposed Federal Accountability Act, or some other legislative measure designed to prosecute elected officials and senior public servants who break the public trust.

In a one-paragraph statement issued Friday, however, Mayes apologized for the column.
“I wish to retract without reservation the comments I made in a release sent out earlier this week,” he wrote. “I would like to make it very clear that I fully respect the freedom of the press. I regret my choice of words and the message that they conveyed.”

The national media have in recent weeks developed a testy relationship with Stephen Harper after the prime minister curtailed access to ministers after cabinet meetings and barred reporters from observing photo opportunities. Ministers have also been instructed to restrict their public comments to the government’s five key priorities and clear interviews with the media through the prime minister’s office. Such interviews have been rare, with many cabinet members refusing repeated requests for comment on issues related to their portfolios, forcing reporters to search for other sources of information.

In his statement of retraction, Mayes made a point of steering clear of the National Press Gallery, suggesting he wants to deal only with reporters from within his riding. “I look forward to building constructive working relationships with my local media,” the statement said.
Mayes won his solidly Tory riding in the Jan. 23 election, replacing the retired Darryl Stinson.
Before entering federal politics, he was a businessman and former mayor of Dawson City, Yukon, and Salmon Arm, B.C.