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
