Journalists Booted

One RCMP officer told a reporter that "there is a time and a place for the media." Another said they were acting on the orders of the PMO. National caucus chairman Rahim Jaffer defended the action, saying that spouses and children accompanying many of the 125 MPs and 24 senators may be intimidated by the reporters and cameras. However, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his communications director, Sandra Buckler, do not have a good relationship with the news media, especially those in the parliamentary Press Gallery in Ottawa, many of whom are in Charlottetown to cover the caucus meeting. Some of Mr. Harper's key advisers believe the news media is full of small "l" liberals and that reporters distort their message. And so yesterday, the battle continued in Prince Edward Island where Tories are holding a two-day strategy session to plan their fall priorities. Reporters were able to interview Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor before being escorted out. In an effort to control the message, keep discipline and ensure that caucus members are all on the same page, access to MPs is being carefully controlled and monitored. And with the possibility of a summer cabinet shuffle, no MP wants to be seen co-operating with the news media for fear of jeopardizing a potential position. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070802.wtories02/BNStory/National/home [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on August 3, 2007]

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