Government using taxpayer's $$ to buy good press?
It's no secret that the Telegraph Journal's press coverage has been overly generous to the government under premier Graham since they gained power, but if these allegations prove to be true, they are taking the relationship to a whole new "legally shaky" level --- or should I say altitude.Not to mention, a relationship allegedly funded by New Brunswick taxpayers. This is not good folks.
I hope someone looks into this for the sake of taxpayers. I guess it's time for the CBC to get off their neutral fence post and start digging.
7 Comments:
I'm sure other media like the CBC was invited too... (Snarf)
It would seem that the ethical standards of the msm have been lowered in this instance.
gyps: ha! ha! No doubt.
bill: it sure doesn't convey the proper ethical standard either way.
As someone pointed out on Charles' site, CBC uses government resources all the time, since they are paid and financed by the taxpayer.
One other thing is on Monday I received a newspaper, but guess what? No CBC radio. Newspapers provide the news; radio and TV provide sound clips. Not all mediums are equal. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses. In this case, the gov't likely wanted a story told that would not be subject to the 30second summation radio/TV would give it.
Journalists of all forms travel with politicians often. In fact, we are better served by this arrangement. It gives the public access to items of interest that would otherwise not be covered. Also, as a gov't, would you rather be accused of being too open or too closed.
Gypsy and Charles, you are upset that the gov't is being too open. Granted, that may be exagerrated statement. For the most part, you are upset that the gov't is picking and choosing who to take. While the new plane is a couple of seats larger than the old plane, it ain't a jumbo jet and there's only so much room. So, if you only have room for one journalist, you have to decide who will best deliver the message. In this case, it was the TJ.
If the TJ saw this as unethical, they would have refused. It isn't up to the gov't to determine what journalistic ethics are or consider whether or not they are followed in every instance. Perhaps in hindsight, both parties will reconsider their decisions, but I personally don't think anything is wrong with the arrangement. Also, I'd rather read the story from the perspective of the reporter who was there than from what the journalist gleaned from a CNB Press Release.
Journalists of all forms travel with politicians often. In fact, we are better served by this arrangement.
We already pay for the CBC (a semi-biased organization IMO), we don't need other media outlets feeding off the taxpayer's dime. I guess it's just a case of "tradition". Tradition being that nobody has blinked an eye at corporate welfare abuse, spending taxpayers dollars irresponsibly and businessmen and journalists cozying up to power brokers and politicians hoping to get a handout or break.
Those days have worn out their welcome and are no longer in vogue. It's time that people realized that this stuff is seriously damaging to the health of a democracy and that it needs to end. Simple as that. In other words, you're barking up the wrong tree here anon if you're looking for some sympathy for the status quo.
The telegraph is owned by Irving who is in tight with the Liberals so always remember that when you read an article of theirs.
Thanks for the advice anon.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home