Something Rotten

Now whereas that can be interpreted as just growing pains for a novice PM or consequences of a few maladresses in the early months of his government, what is truly troublesome is the way that some Canadian "pundits" are appraising the situation. First, there is the morning show on Ottawa's CFRA Talk-Radio. The Hill Times article has this to say:

CFRA radio morning man Steve Madely noted that a lot of his listeners have sent him emails complaining that the reporters are expecting too much from the Prime Minister. On the air last week, Mr. Madely said many listeners were upset with reporters for not realizing that Mr. Harper has more important things to do rather than be constantly available to answer questions.

For starters that sounded just like one of those "talking points" that the Bush people are so adept at disseminating in the media, to wit: The Hill Times goes on to say that: "The Prime Minister stressed that point to reporters last week when asked about his lack of availability, when CBC TV Hill reporter Julie Van Dusen asked him bluntly about his lack of access. 'I will be available whenever I have something to announce,' Mr. Harper said flatly."

Then there is this, which I admit was more difficult to stomach. Here is what progressive bloggers’ affiliate TDH Strategies had to say about the whole affair (I am quoting because I could not find the link to the post.):

Reporters like to claim that they enjoy symbiotic relationships with politicians - each side needs each other. Even respected Toronto Star columnist Chantal Hébert stated that the key to a a constructive relationship "is a mature approach on the part of the Prime Minister," and that Harper "getting into a sulk with the national media is just another display of a skin too thin for comfort."

Don't believe the hype. Reporters have for years thrived off the headlines of scandal and excess to sell their wares, and need access to the Prime Minister on their own terms more for the purposes of good political theatre than actual information gathering.

Since winning the leadership of the Canadian Alliance party back in 2002, it is safe to say that Stephen Harper has got a very rough ride. Whether he was accused of being scary, or not having a heart, the media have been brutal. In fact, it is in spite of the press corps that Stephen Harper overcame these tags to win the election.

Harper's policies are not going to be popular with the Canadian people over the coming year, and he is well aware of the fights ahead, from missile defence, to child care, to his proposed re-vote on same sex marriage. The Conservatives still do not represent majority opinions within this country.

And thus with those kind of daunting prospects, Harper is well advised to set the tone of his relationship with the press gallery, as opposed to the style of the Paul Martin regime, who one reporter referred to as a bunch of "flinchers because they'd flinch every time they saw something they didn't like."

Complete access to the top makes it that much easier to grill from the bottom. Maybe it is the Ottawa press gallery that should take a long hard look in the mirror before they translate their lack of control over politicians into stories about public office holders (from all parties) who supposedly have something to hide.

I have no clue who or what TDH Strategies are. But progressive? I think not.

To say that a free and yes, sometimes intrusive, media is necessary is a truism. What is becoming apparent here is that forces are emerging whose goal it would seem is to silence those forceful voices in the media or at any rate to delegitimize their right to intrude on politicians and other authorities in order to bring to light activities that affect our lives.

So much for ranting. What can be done? If we are to keep what is left of the free and discerning media alive and well, we need to get involved. I do not think that those reporters will be able to do it on their own. Besides there is something to be said when you feel that the people is behind you. Witness how even CFRA radio morning man Steve Madely has to invoke the "will of the people" in his shilling as when he said that "a lot of his listeners have sent him emails complaining that the reporters are expecting too much from the Prime Minister."

I recently commented on a post at Cerberus using information that I had come across at Firedoglake. The gist of what was being proposed at Firedoglake is that each and everyone of us must go beyond blogging and get involved, albeit in a small way, in local politics, in our community, in any which way that we can. Thus I came upon this idea that perhaps those of us reading this blog who live in the Ottawa area, if each of us could send an email to Mr. Steve Madely of CFRA telling him how much we support the efforts of our media to have access to our Prime Minister. Of course, it would be just great if the emails could be sent by bloggers from all over Canada! After all, isn’t Mr. Harper there to do the People's business and isn’t it only fair and right that he keeps us informed on how he is going about doing just that?

For those interested to participate in such an effort, here is additional information on the CFRA morning show. Emails can be sent to the show at mornings@cfra.com.

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[Cross-posted at The Cylinder]

Note: The Hill Times TDH Strategies Cerberus Firedoglake here mornings@cfra.com The Cylinder