Media Messups

[raisethehammer]

Yea, CBC news just gives you the news. Watching CNN is like a Hollywood production. Scary music with images of Muslims beating each other with sticks and bowing down in unison during prayer. It's hilarious, except so many brain-dead consumers watch it and actually think they are getting a better understanding of the world. No, you're getting what the advertisers and the US government want you to get.
these days it's plain to see government control in a far greater measure at CNN and FOX than CBC.
Some recent news stories that weren't covered by corporate media in Canada or US (you can go research these online yourself) Note: some of these stories were done by CBC :

- Monsanto killing a news story on tainted milk by a local FOX station in Florida
- WMD in Iraq and what the IAEE said repeatedly to the US government about their non-existence (a few weeks ago a quiet news story out of the US stated that, oops, there actually never was any - no shite).
- RCMP corruption
- Health Canada's "smart check" symbol in grocery stores...CBC uncovered the fact that food companies pay off 'smart choice' in order to get them to sign on their label even though much healthier options sit on the same shelves.
- "Wipe Israel off the map" controversy from Iran. The 3 words - "wipe" "Israel" and "map" were never used in that infamous speech....if you watch CNN/FOX that's all you know about that speech. BBC and other large international news agencies have since issued apology stories stating that they simply picked up the story from US media outlets, but should have verified the facts before doing so.

I could go on all night, but won't....the point is, don't be a brain-dead consumer. Learn to think and do a tiny bit of research to find a little more truth out there. I know nobody wants to read through 5,000 page government documents to find out what really happened on 9-11 or anything else, but a bit of quick research at libraries or online with documented, certified sources will help you undestand a lot more about what goes on.

By the way, kudos to CBC for recently taking the feds to task for the corruption that exists and has existed for years in Health Canada and other agencies that are supposedly there for our benefit. I hear Global complaining about the price of gas every night...because people will tune in to hear it over and over.

[highwater]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

- Monsanto killing a news story on tainted milk by a local FOX station in Florida

And when Fox was sued over the story, they freely admitted that they lie and distort the news, but that the First Amendment gives them the right:

http://www.projectcensored.org/Publi...s/2005/11.html

There's fair and balanced for you.

RTH, I'm afraid you're not going to win fastcars over with your list. It's just further evidence of "reality's well-known liberal bias".

[raisethehammer]

highwater...I actually don't agree with the "reality's liberal bias" theory.
I subscribe to much more conservative values, than liberal.
let me clarify, true conservative values...not this new brand of conservatism that's just as corporately bought-out as the big bad liberal parties always were.
They're really no different now other than in speech. Actions are virtually identical.
I'm a fan of people simply researching and finding facts. Not walking around like stupid robots repeating word for word what wolf blitzer said on his tv show.
Common sense is what we need more of...not political allegiance.

[fastcarsfreedom]

I'm a regular viewer of The National, have been for years. You assumed from my criticism of CBC that I didn't watch--an incorrect assumption.

And for the record, I'm not 55--you're off by a quarter-century or so--and no, I'm not 80 either.

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by fastcarsfreedom

I'm a regular viewer of The National, have been for years. You assumed from my criticism of CBC that I didn't watch--an incorrect assumption.

And for the record, I'm not 55--you're off by a quarter-century or so--and no, I'm not 80 either.

haha....thanks for the clarification. An 80 year old on here would be cool!

I must ask this question then - if you're a regular viewer, where do you get this "Liberal party favouritism" stuff? I love watching them rip apart the morons running the Libs and their feeble attempts to bring on an election, only to cave in and not go down that road since they know they'll get whipped etc....

[DC83]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

- Health Canada's "smart check" symbol in grocery stores...CBC uncovered the fact that food companies pay off 'smart choice' in order to get them to sign on their label even though much healthier options sit on the same shelves.

That was a great story! I actually watched that myself. Luckily I'm not one of those gullible consumers who believes everything the ads tell me. I actually read the nutritional facts table rather than looking for a green "check mark" that a company BOUGHT rather than achieved.

CBC has great news stories. It's a shame the network itself is sucking. I pretty much get all my info from cbc.ca or CBC Newsworld. IMO, no one else is reliable... ESPECIALLY US networks!

[highwater]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

highwater...I actually don't agree with the "reality's liberal bias" theory.
I subscribe to much more conservative values, than liberal.
let me clarify, true conservative values...not this new brand of conservatism that's just as corporately bought-out as the big bad liberal parties always were.
They're really no different now other than in speech. Actions are virtually identical.
I'm a fan of people simply researching and finding facts. Not walking around like stupid robots repeating word for word what wolf blitzer said on his tv show.
Common sense is what we need more of...not political allegiance.

The running gag about reality having a 'liberal bias' refers precisely to the phenomenon you are talking about, where people who have done the research and fact finding you refer to, are then accused of being left wing (or elitist!) by those who ascribe to the 'new brand of conservatism', since the facts, and common sense, often run counter to their vested interests

[fastcarsfreedom]

This is one of the better discussion we've had on this Forum in a long-time.

I have been busy with work for a couple of days and have been unable to properly respond--so I will attempt to cover the bases while still being concise.

It is utterly amazing to me that anyone can be deluded into thinking that any media outlet delivers "just the news" without any bias. All media--all sources--all viewers--all people for that matter, have biases. The idea that CBC delivers "just the news" is utterly ridiculous--although publically supported, their news operation goes through the same assignment/editorial process that any private broadcaster does. Indeed Perrin Beatty may have made his changes (utlimately to try to coax the beast into the direction of being self-supporting) but the long-entrenched bureaucracy hasn't changed.

I don't deny that CBC does some excellent public affairs/news work. You point to the Smart Check story--which is a good example--but again I could list dozens of equally compelling consumer affairs stories here done by any number of broadcasters running the gammut from BBC to ABC to local affiliate stations--everyone does consumer affairs reporting. (Did you know that many programs similar to Smart Check rely on self-governance by private industry? In truth the government doesn't have anywhere close to the resources necessary to administer such programs on it's own).

In truth--CBC's reporting has historically had a pro-left bend, and I cannot fathom a CBC supporter denying this. I applaud the network (The National in particular) for it's focus on foreign affairs reporting--however, it continues to report the news with the same undertones it always has--anti-American, pro-liberal (notice the lack of capitalization), suspicious of the military, suspicious of law enforcement and gleeful of any news it can report about Brian Mulroney. There are somewhat balanced brightspots--Rex Murphy is one, but otherwise it's just as filtered, just as selective and just as biased as CTV, Global, TQS, TVA or any other private broadcaster in this country--private broadcasters who must be profitable to survive, who do not operate on welfare and who have to apply for, and defend, their broadcasting licenses.

I note that you mention CBC's pursuit of "corruption" in the RCMP--fair enough--some of what had gone on bureaucratically absolutely should have been exposed to the light of day. On the flipside, they endlessly ran the Vancouver International taser footage without balance whatsoever, have turned the focus on the Mayerthorpe killings from the perpatrator to the RCMP itself and have a made a point of questioning officer/departmental actions in every subsequent RCMP death since--as well as every taser deployment in Canada. This past fall The National also attempted to create a scandal surrounding the Canada Border Services Agency--where no scandal in fact existed. And of course, Sheila Fraser ought to have her own chair at the anchor desk--they LOVE the Auditor General.

Quote
don't be a brain-dead consumer

This is an old tried/true refrain that is basically the equal of calling someone on the left a hippie. It's essentially a bold (and incorrect) assumption--in fact I'd argue it takes an impressive amount of gall--because essentially the inference is that anyone who disagrees with you is stupid. I was raised by parents who are decidedly more liberal in their viewpoints than I am--in fact I am responsible for my own viewpoints and beliefs. When I was younger I would literally come home from school or hockey practice and read the newspaper, watch the news, listen to my parents' discussions about news and world affairs. I made my own decisions about my beliefs--and Andrew Coyne is no more guilty of "brainwashing" me than David Suzuki.

I should clarify RTH--I never accused the CBC of capital "L" liberal bias. I only wish I shared your enthusiasm when it comes to the notion that the Liberals would be 'whipped' at election time--however, I've developed a reasonably deep mistrust of the Canadian electorate.

[raisethehammer]

fastcars, you're right...this is a great discussion.
I clearly don't agree with your attempt to paint the BBC or CBC in the same light as the private broadcasters. I admit there are biases everywhere in life, but you don't have to look too hard to see the incredible nonsense being spewed out on CNN or FOX.

and just to clarify, I wasn't calling YOU a "braindead consumer" Lol.
I was merely making that statement in a general sense...too many people are.
I chuckle at the number of times I've had a chat with someone about some issue and they have no original ideas or thoughts. All they can do is repeat Wolf Blitzer or some newspaper writer etc.... I look at news stories as a possible story for me to look into further. I watch The Agenda on TVO regularly (Hamilton-boy Paikin!) and go to their website to follow up on various stories and look up different research links if I'm interested in learning more.
I don't just walk around saying "Steve Paikin said xxx".

Anyhow, just wanted to clarify that. I can tell just from reading you on this forum that you are certainly not 'brain dead' in any respect!

[the dude]

i think that by having 'embedded' reporters in afghanistan the cbc has gotten over its supposed suspicion of the military. they're pretty much on board now.

personally, i'm much more of a cbc radio fan than tv. cbctv has become somewhat perverted over the years. cbc radio is the real deal and has excellent programming from morning 'til night. i look forward to their return to the hammer.

[fastcarsfreedom]

thedude--"perverted"? At least you admit that they're biased and you love it.

The National Post is biased and I love it.

[raisethehammer]

National Post...I'm not sure what their bias is (i've only read it a couple of times) but one of them must be having horrible writers who can't string a sentence together.
That thing is like VIEW magazine (again, based on the few times I've read one).
I guess like could be worse in Hamilton if we were to only have VIEW or the TO Sun or some other tabloid like that. haha.

[eemy]

Originally Posted by fastcarsfreedom

I'm losing you? I'm pretty sure you just advocated for replacement of The Spectator with a reskinned version of The Star?

Torstar is more than just the Toronto Star. They also own the Kitchener Record, and a variety of other properties. Most interesting is that they own a 20% of CTVglobemedia, which publishes their biggest competitor, the Globe and Mail.

[fastcarsfreedom]

RTH--I don't follow--are you saying the National Post has poor writers? I sincerely don't follow your thought in that post. VIEW? Are you talking about the arts/entertainment tabloid that is distrubuted free, that I used to spend late nights at Tally Ho reading?

For the record, the National Post takes a mostly right-of-centre view on political issues, the military, Canada-U.S. relations, trade, monetary policy, etc. Conrad Black founded it, and after Southam's dissolution it came under the ownership of Canwest-Global--controlled by the notoriously Liberal (capital L) Asper family--however, to their credit, they have left the Post's editorial positions alone. I distinctly recall some member of the intellgientsia predicting the paper's demise because it's political viewpoints were "Un-Canadian"--I have held fast to that quote since to illustrate my own feelings of political isolation in this country.

As stated, Torstar also picked up the K-W Record when Southam was dissolved, and they also control most of the weekly publications around the Golden Horseshoe through their Metroland division. One of their most profitable holdings is the Harlequin Romance operation...no kidding. Torstar, Osprey and SunMedia pretty much divided up Southam's dailies in Ontario.

[raisethehammer]

the few times I've seen one laying around at a cafe and read it I've been stunned at the poor writing. It's like a high school newspaper. Yes, VIEW is the A&E mag in Hamilton you would have been reading at Tally Ho.
I don't recall reading anything that seemed overtly biased, but again, I've only read it a few times....I probably don't recall much of the content because I was too busy trying to make sense of the friggin sentences. Let's put it this way, the writing was so bad that I've never had a desire to pay a cent for one or pick one up in a cafe to read again.

[highwater]

VERY interesting panel discussion coming up in April at the AGH:


LOCAL MEDIA: Voice of the Few or Mouthpiece for the Masses?

T.N.T. again brings together an expert panel of speakers to engage in discussion about current issues. The city of Hamilton has one major newspaper, several alternative papers, a half-dozen community weeklies, one network television station, one cable television station, and seven radio stations. Yet many feel their voices are not heard and that local issues do not receive the depth of coverage needed. What role should local media play in the community?

Terry Cooke will chair a panel including respected representatives from several media corporations on local and national fronts, as well as independent speakers from the worlds of arts and media, including confirmed participants Mike Katrycz, News Director, CHCH News, Ted Kennedy, Chief of Staff, CBC English Radio, Dave Kuruk, Founder and Editor of H Magazine, Tor Lukasik-Foss, artist and columnist, Ryan McGreal, Editor of www.raisethehammer.org, and Jim Poling, Managing Editor, News, The Hamilton Spectator.

Date & Time: Thursday, April 17, 7:00 pm
(optional exhibition tour at 6:00 pm included with T.N.T. ticket)

Price: AGH Members $10.00 | Students/Seniors $12.00 | Non-Members $15.00



Pre-registration is recommended. Reserve your attendance by purchasing tickets on-line, or by calling Laurie at 905-527-6610, ext. 272 or Tina at ext. 250.

NEW MEMBERS: Thursday, April 17 is also New Members Night!
In addition to attending our T.N.T. event, New Members will also be treated to a unique vault tour at 6:00 pm. To participate in this tour, please contact Tina at 905-527-6610, ext. 250 or [email protected].

[raisethehammer]

if anyone is free, tune into CBC. The Fifth Estate is doing an absolutely bang-up job and exposing the corruption in the US government over the unecessary Iraq war.
If you miss it, log on and try to obtain a copy of the show.
Interviews with ambassadors, CIA officials and top secret US government documents all make the case against the US. Of course, some of you won't want to watch it. No left-wing nuts are being interviewed to allow you to keep your head in the sand. US military officials and 20+ year CIA agents are the source of the facts here.
All sarcasm aside, this is a very well done show.

[BCTed]

The hiring of Michelle Dube by CHCH was certainly not a mistake. She is quite attractive.

[DC83]

Originally Posted by BCTed

The hiring of Michelle Dube by CHCH was certainly not a mistake. She is quite attractive.

ahhaah Where did that come from?
I actually went to elementary school w/ this girl. She's nice/genuine. Probably one of the better reporters on CHCH.

[BCTed]

Originally Posted by DC83

ahhaah Where did that come from?
I actually went to elementary school w/ this girl. She's nice/genuine. Probably one of the better reporters on CHCH.

I saw her on TV just before I posted that.