The Future of the Newspaper Industry

Gordon Clark from the Vancouver Province wrote an interesting editorial about the future of the Newspaper industry in today's paper. The editorial is in response to the recent news of job lay offs after the latest media merger recently reported on.

Although I understand that duplication isn't cost effective, journalists losing their jobs is not a good thing for anyone. The Freedom of the Press is a sacred thing. When that is lost we are all diminished. Gordon quotes critics' reference to corporate mainstream media. This is a large public concern. As I have said before, media mergers are concerning because when all the media outlets are owned by one entity, they are easier to control.

We remember the days of Conrad Black who bought up all the newspaper chains and started to censor the press. That was a bad precedent. Although Conrad Black is gone, the media monopoly continues. Although I agree most Canadians watch American movies and television, I for one simply can't stomach American News. The sensational propaganda is repulsive. British tabloids are even worse. I have in the past spoken about how we tend to think newspapers are supposed to be unbiased and how the Murdoch news chain destroyed that fairy tale by admitting they endorse certain candidates during election time.

Gordon Clark claims "the fact that virtually everything people know about corruption, lousy policies or misconduct by government of corporate officials was dug up by a journalist, more often than not some scruffy newspaper reporter with a couple of little kids and a mortgage. If you’re hating on the MSM, you are really hating on those hard-working reporters."

I completely agree that virtually everything people know about corruption, lousy policies or misconduct by government of corporate officials was dug up by a journalist. However, I don't think if someone is hating on the Mainstream Media they are hating on some scruffy newspaper reporter with a couple of little kids and a mortgage. Gary Webb was a scruffy newspaper reporter with a couple of little kids and a mortgage. The MSM killed him. Literally. The movie Kill the Messenger showed the Gary Webb story to the world and sadly, the world barely noticed.

The MSM killed Dan Rather. Figuratively speaking. The persecution a journalist experiences for reporting on a story that goes against the propaganda is a huge concern for everyone. Gordon Clark's conclusion is a bit disappointing. He states Critics of the changes (in print media) have two choices: either buy a subscription or, as Baron would say, “shut the f— up.” That's a little bit extreme. Agree with me and pay me money or shut the f up? Rather short sighted. Perhaps his editor highlighted that when his editorial was rewritten for him. (Mild sarcasm)

I actually like Wayne Moriarty. I think he's fair. Despite the fact that he let that idiot Keith Fraser screw me over. Posting my real name was one thing but posting my home address was unethical. It's pretty easy to black out an address before uploading a court document. I never would have done that to him. I guess that makes us different. I'm not sure if it was jealousy or stupidity. Likely a little of both.

I'm not sure where Gordon Clark's animosity towards the CBC comes from. For a government subsidized news outlet they are one of the best in the country for objectivity. If the main stream media doesn't like them they must be doing something right. Nevertheless, I think bloggers can help save the newspaper industry by linking to their articles and blogging about them. That creates more traffic and potential advertising revenue. Kim Bolan uses a blog. So does Laila. Bloggers generate more traffic on articles of public interest.

Part One: Media Mergers

Part Two: Dan Rather and Gary Webb

Charges laid in Kevin LeClair murder

The Vancouver Province is reporting that Police have laid charges in the Jonathan Barber back in 2008 and in the Kevin LeClair murder which was in 2009. "Police have announced first-degree murder charges against 32-year-old Troy Tran of Vancouver and a 31-year-old man whose identity is not being released to protect the integrity of an upcoming court proceeding."

Not to damage the integrity of the investigation but when Cory Vallee was arrested in Mexico back in 2014, CBC reported that Cory "Frankie" Vallee was wanted in connection with the 2009 homicide of Kevin LeClair, the plot against the Bacon brothers, and the death of Jonathan Barber. I have no idea if the second person charged is in fact Cory but one would assume so.

The news article claimed both suspects were members of the UN. However, it is quite possible the Bacon brothers could have killed their own guy since Kim Bolan reported that Kevin was giving police information about the Surrey Six murder before he was killed. However, I don't think they knew that at the time. Yet even Kevin knew the Surrey Six murder crossed the line. As a result no one here likes the Bacon brothers at all.

Toronto Hells Angels clubhouse drug bust

Global is reporting that police executed search warrants in the Toronto Hells Angels clubhouse and an Oshawa townhouse which resulted in the seizure of a small amount of cocaine. Eight suspects have been arrested in total. I guess Ontario still has their BEU. Too bad BC did away with ours.

Dead body found in Langley hotel

The Langley Advance is reporting that "Langley RCMP was called to a local hotel in the late afternoon of January 22, 2016, when a man was found deceased in one of the rooms. Police determined the death was suspicious and as a result called in the IHIT."

Port Coquitlam shooting

News 1130 is reporting that one person is dead following a late night shooting in Port Coquitlam.

Abbotsford hip hop artist speaks out about gang violence

The Abby News is reporting that a local hip hop artist has spoken up against gang violence after a 74 year old man was killed from a stray bullet in a local gang shooting.

Lindsay Buziak memorial walk

The annual Lindsay Buziak memorial walk will be held Februay 2, 2016. It will start 10:00 AM at the Royal Oak Burial Park Gates 4673 Falaise Drive, Victoria, B.C. Lindsay Buziak was the realtor that was viciously murdered after showing a couple a home in Saanich February 2nd 2008 in what police described at the time to be an intentionally targeted attack. Lindsay's boyfriend Jason Zailo was on Dateline talking about her murder. He failed to mention she was in the process of leaving him. He is seen in the picture beside Lindsay holding a knife.

Another shooting outside Williams Lake

The William's Lake Tribune is reporting that a home was the scene of a targeted shooting just outside Williams Lake in Wildwood. Staff Sgt. Del Byron stated "This shooting relates to the ongoing gang conflict in our area, specifically between the Indian Outlaws and the 712s."

Outlaw murder in Saskatoon

CBC is reporting that Ontario biker charged with second degree murder in Saskatoon killing. John Glen MacAulay, 46, has been charged in the death of Norman Playter in 2014. In 2012 Canoe News reported that Norman Playter, 44, of Calgary was involved with a cocaine bust in Calgary tied to the Outlaws motorcycle gang. Yet CBC posted a picture from facebook of John MacAulay wearing an Outlaws vest and sneakers. So an Outlaw killed an Outlaw. Police say they knew each other and were members of the same gang. No L&R there.

Bill Fordy is still out to lunch

This is an old one I missed. On January 5th Kim Bolan reported that just before 8:00 PM on the Monday night a concerned concerned citizen in Surrey confronted people in a suspicious vehicle parked in his neighbourhood. The occupants of the parked vehicle fled the area after firing several shots at the citizen’s vehicle. The concerned citizen followed them into Del.ta until the suspects lost control of their vehicle and drove into a pole on River Road. Surrey What?!

“Three male suspects, who are well known to police, were taken into custody and then to hospital. Two have been cleared and returned to Surrey cell block and one remains in hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A firearm was also located at the scene of the crash. One of the men arrested, Surrey resident Cory Lee Myers, 25, was wanted on a warrants for breaches of probation conditions as well as for a break and enter."

So what do the Surrey RCMP do? Give the concerned citizen a commendation? Nope. They threaten to arrest him. I kid you not. This is the epitome of everything that's wrong with Surrey. Bill Fordy isn't corrupt. He's just a flaming idiot. The fact that he is still the chief of police in Surrey is proof his superiors are corrupt. Why else would they keep such an idiot in charge so nothing gets done? Instead of arresting a hero maybe they should be arresting the drug dealers outside the Front Room. Instead they just kick the cat and put up fences to contain all the addicts. That is not the New York model. That is a gong show that results in the public suffering for their negligence.