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This is an interesting thread, and I want you to read it (and the Maclean& #39;s article linked in the first entry) before you read my comments. /1 https://twitter.com/mattgurney/status/1265263337220313092">https://twitter.com/mattgurne...
I respect that Matt is trying to draw a distinction between the editorial staff and the reporters. Theoretically, that& #39;s a valid distinction. A reporter& #39;s job is to report, the editorial staff get to pontificate on the issues of the day. /2
In itself, that seems like a reasonable distinction. However, we also have to recognize that as in any organization, there is a hierarchy, and in many ways the editorial "board" sets the tone for the newsroom. /3
Trying to argue that "the reporters are trying to be objective" overlooks the influence of the editorial pages on how the remainder of the publication is perceived by the reader.
I& #39;m sure the vast majority of reporters are doing exactly what they should. BUT ... /4
I& #39;m sure the vast majority of reporters are doing exactly what they should. BUT ... /4
There are a myriad of ways things can be spun. Choices of wording can alter the perception of what happened considerably; headlines are written to grab eyeballs; etc.
All of those _will_ be influenced by the atmosphere in the workplace. It cannot be avoided. /5
All of those _will_ be influenced by the atmosphere in the workplace. It cannot be avoided. /5
Now, what I& #39;m about to say here will no doubt put me firmly in Matt& #39;s "angry lefty" column, but fuck it.
PostMedia is owned and controlled by political right wing interests. Full Stop. /6
PostMedia is owned and controlled by political right wing interests. Full Stop. /6
For those who have forgotten, the National Post was formed by Conrad Black back in the days of Hollinger Inc. because Conrad didn& #39;t think there were enough conservative voices in the national news scene. /7
NP has had a significant right wing bias since it was founded, although it has become considerably more _partisan_ over time. /8
Once the consolidation of media under CanWest took place (largely on the demise of Hollinger), the centralized "C&C" model of editorial control came into being. Previously independent regional papers suddenly found head office dictating editorial direction. (and it showed) /9
Today, it& #39;s a rare day indeed to see a PostMedia paper publish something even remotely complimentary about a political leader who isn& #39;t a conservative partisan.
While the broadsheet papers try to be a little more subtle about it, the tabloid Sun papers are blatant. /10
While the broadsheet papers try to be a little more subtle about it, the tabloid Sun papers are blatant. /10
Hell, we have the receipts (literally) of the Sun papers staging up for the 2015 election specifically to support the conservatives. That was a mandate from on high, and it was well publicized (thanks to someone leaking a few internal memos). /11
I won& #39;t let the rest of PostMedia off the hook, not after the "scare" wrap they sold to the CPC in 2015, all of a few days before voting day. The format of that wrap was deceptive advertising in the first place, and if they had any ethics at all, they should have refused it. /12
So, while Matt may be correct in saying that the newsroom is often a divided place, we cannot ignore the power hierarchy that is clearly at play, from ownership on down through the editorial boards (which are clearly no longer independent). /13
Nor is it reasonable to ask the reader to parse the differences between reporting and editorial content. It& #39;s all part of the final product.
When I buy a car, and some part of it is terrible, I don& #39;t say "well that& #39;s the people who made the seats", I say "goddamnit, Ford!"/14
When I buy a car, and some part of it is terrible, I don& #39;t say "well that& #39;s the people who made the seats", I say "goddamnit, Ford!"/14
So, I find it quite laughable when I see conservatives whining about "media bias", when - especially PostMedia - is owned, and clearly controlled by conservative interests. /15
If they want to convince me that they aren& #39;t biased, then the editorial staff needs to stop marching in lock-step like good little partisan robots.
It would also help if headline writing was less about click-baiting people, and more objective. /16
It would also help if headline writing was less about click-baiting people, and more objective. /16
I don& #39;t mind the odd blatantly partisan writer spouting off, but when the entire editorial staff is clearly singing from the same music, they are doing Canadians a disservice. /17
Maybe the reporters in PostMedia& #39;s newsroom really are doing a sound job of reporting. That is still tainted by the fact that the editorial staff is clearly being ordered to write in a partisan manner. /18 ~fin~
