“Watchdogs” needed in political coverage

November 11, 2015 · 0 Comments

A disturbing development in Canada is the growing evidence of media bias.
A strong democracy depends on an independent unbiased media when reporting the news, otherwise Canadians cannot trust the accuracy of news reports. Voters who don’t have the time or inclination to research the issues are easily swayed by media spin.
CBC’s Media Guild representing their reporters was registered as a third party to actively campaign in this election for the party that would give them more money.
Trudeau promised the CBC $150 million annually (in excess of the $1.1 billion they already receive from our taxes) if he was elected.
These reporters had a motive to show Trudeau in a positive light and happily accepted his vague and lightweight responses including “he would grow the economy from the heart.”
Unifor is Canada’s largest media union representing over 13,000 employees across Canada including media reporters. Unifor registered as a third party to conduct the “Anybody but Harper” campaign.
Many voters did not know the issues and still don’t. They heard the media’s constant repetition to stop Harper and followed orders.
Given the need for an unbiased media, it is difficult to believe that these unethical activities would even be allowed.
Sixty percent of people who voted in this election did not vote for Trudeau. We need ‘watchdogs’ in the media to report on our politicians not ‘lapdogs’.

Shelley Wister
Aurora