07.21.2011 05:19 AM

Right-wing media?

How can anyone say such a thing? Good golly!

Oh, wait:

In other words, despite only having support of roughly a third of Canadian citizens, 92% of editorial opinion in the press in Canada were stumping for Harper.

25 Comments

  1. billg says:

    Its still a dumb thing to say by a pretty bright guy and a good politician….the “ooops I was tired and frustrated” statement should come sometime today.

  2. smelter rat says:

    Tulk’s head just exploded.

  3. Tiger says:

    What’s more useful — having the editorial board/publisher do a favourable editorial near the end of each election cycle, or having the sympathy (and spin doctor work) of the parliamentary beat reporter?

    The CPC gets the former, but definitely not the latter.

    Which is fine — as the article points out, the general public is not so easily swayed by reporters’ opinions.

    • The Doctor says:

      I’ve always wondered whether those official editorial board endorsements are worth any more than a handful of magic beans. It would be interesting IMO to see if some academic or researcher ever did some analysis or polling on that — although it would be a difficult thing to poll for (because people can say they were influenced by this or that in their voting decision, but that can be quite a different matter from what actually motivated them).

      • Tiger says:

        You can see past endorsements on Wikipedia — they collect lists.

        So you can at least see whether there was correlation, before trying to work on finding causation.

        I suspect they’re useful in getting people to at least consider voting a certain direction. Whether they’re decisive — that I doubt. Didn’t the Toronto Star endorse Stanfield in ’74, for instance?

  4. frmr disgruntled Con, now Happy Lib says:

    Freedom of the press belongs to those who own one…….

  5. lance says:

    That wasn’t editorial slant, that was lack of choice.

    • Warren says:

      Uh-huh.

      So, when I wrote about the media for the Post, and they refused to permit a single positive word to be published about CBC or the Star, for instance, that was okay? Am I getting that right?

      • lance says:

        Don’t know, don’t care. You were talking about the election, I was referencing that.

        You don’t actually think Jack! or Iggy were realistic choices, do you?

  6. DB Smith says:

    Speaking about the Post and is 1/3 really 39.6%?

    “Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Mr. Duncan said the Post, along with other Ontario newspapers, are part of what he described as an intellectually dishonest, right-wing, Rupert Murdoch, conservative cabal.” and “What he must have been reacting to is the Post’s past references to Ontario as a high-tax and big-spending jurisdiction that looks more and more like some clapped-out European nation.”

    It seems that the heat has gotten to the few remaining Liberals who have not jumped ship as they go from one last gasp to another.

    • Warren says:

      I see. So, it’s okay for you, “D.B.” to rant endlessly about the “state broadcaster,” the “Red Star” and so on, but it’s not okay for someone else to be a bit critical about your side?

      Can throw punches, can’t take ’em. You guys will never change.

      • DB Smith says:

        My assumption was that 1/3 was 33.0% and that 39.6% was higher than 1/3 –

        I would also point out that I was replying to your comment – or counter punching if you will the punch that you threw and that I seem to be able to take the punches even those from some of your other contributors that are below the belt – the question is can the Liberals do the same, without punching below the belt.

        As for the CBC and Star, they pull left and the Post pulls right and as you rightly pointed out the other day, that one can be as bad as the other in censuring what is written,

        “D.B. smith” is my name.

      • Africon says:

        I have no problem with any privately owned media outlet having a bias, just like here.

        But the State sponsored CBC is an entirely different matter and surely you can see that.

      • Philip says:

        I can’t say that I have ever seen/read/listened to a CBC offering that I found to be incredibly left of center. Overall pretty balanced has been my experience. But then again I don’t own QMI or Sun so I’m not competing for the same ad revenue pool. It seems if the whole “left wing media cabal” nose stretcher is a recent American import.

        • Jan says:

          What they don’t seem to understand is that the ‘left’ also purchases goods and services.

        • Philip says:

          Maybe we should point that out to those companies. I have stopped shopping at my butcher’s when he put up a lawn sign, in his store window, for the Conservative candidate in my riding. He had every right to place that sign in his own shop and I have every right to choose where I spend my money. I miss his butterfly cut chops though!

  7. Tim says:

    Wow.. honestly, an amazing analysis from the author. Pretty much summarizes everything that’s wrong with this country. Keep callin’ em out. Conservatism has so much to answer for.

  8. JH says:

    So corporate and editorial endorsements means that the media is biased right? Right?
    Hmmm, that’s interesting.

  9. Bruce M says:

    Don’t you see, the proof that you are biased is is that you disagree with me? Can’t you see that? I mean, what other explanation could there be? The fact that 92% of all endorsements were for another party PROVES they are biased. It can’t be weak candidates, horrendous messaging, pre-chewed platforms and a strong opponent: It MUST be a right-wing media conspiracy.
    Seriosly: I find most reporting left of centre, with most editorials right: except of the loonies at the Star.

  10. Dave in Maple Ridge says:

    Re: Press suppots Harper

    Even a broken clock is right twice a day … its unusual to be sure, but doesn’t mean they weren’t right.

    Ah, for the good old days when a thirty something percent result equalled a Liberal, and thus more legitimate, majority.

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