Welcome to the 222E Blog Project
Hi Everyone,
I am looking forward to the postings that take place over the year. Remember, this is your blog, your opportunity to think about the relationship between politics and media - and how we mere mortals fit into it all.
Instructor scribe.
I am looking forward to the postings that take place over the year. Remember, this is your blog, your opportunity to think about the relationship between politics and media - and how we mere mortals fit into it all.
Instructor scribe.
posted by instructorscribe at 7:54 AM
19 Comments:
Hi All!
First and foremost I think that once we get into this project it should prove to be very interestign and exciting, and I look forward to everyone posting their thoughts!
On to more important matters...
With regard to the topic brought up in class of Stronach/Domi I will comment with regard to the article in the Post, as this is where I read about it. I must agree that in my opinion it does not belong on the front page, I think that Stronach has been targetted by the media repeatedly. While I do not condone whatever may or may not have gone on, clearly this is no new issue and, realistically, not an uncommon one in our society. The way in which Stronach is portrayed is also of particular interest. The fact that she is a female politician seems to excuse commenting more on her sexual conduct than her political capabilities. And this is certainly not the first time the press has taken this focus.
My questions:
Do others feel that this sort of portrayal of Stronach in the media averts Canadians from forming an opinion of her as a professional, or are there other perspectives?
Are female politicians more likely to be scandalized, and when it occurs do you think it is acdceptable for the message to be delivered so differently when a woman is the target than when a man is the brunt of scandal?
Thanks to everyone who has joined in so far!
I found another article in the Post online very interesting, and possibly worth reading:
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=d358be64-2173-476d-a17f-24d4c32c04c1&k=77641
I wonder what the general thought is on this. In my opinion I think the article might miss the boat a bit. While clearly politicians weather the storm, I do think personal scandal affects them in the polls. Also I do not think it gives a good focus on female politicans (not that it intends to)
Hello Everyone,
The fact of the matter is most of the general public live for the type of gossip that Tie Domi and Belinda Stronach have provided in the last week.
Though, in my opinion, it is a waste of the front page of the London Free Press and other worthy publications, it is what sells papers.
If you are looking for credibility and professionalism, media agencies are not always the place to find these two characteristics.
Money is what makes the word go round, and more and more media is just a business. This can be seen in London with all the changes at the Free Press. Job lay offs, moving printing to Toronto, and getting away from local news. Though we may not like it, this world is about making the most money possible, no matter what it does to other people.
Yes, I know some of you might say I am a bit of a pessimist, but that is the way it works.
What advertisers want, for the most part these media agencies are going to provide them with.
Therefore, remember trashy gossip that has no business being on the front page of the paper does actually help sell that issue.
If you don't like, don't buy it. Remember though it is going to continue to happen no matter how much we complain.
Hello Everyone,
I just tried to post and it didn't work so hopefully this one does.
As is evident from the above posts, the Tie and Belinda scandal is one that Canadians are very interested in. We discussed in class that Belinda is facing many harsh criticisms for her actions, partly because she is a woman. Even I, myself being a female, was quick to judge when I heard of Ms. Stronach's latest lover -- I thought of her actions as tastesless and trashy.
However, I read a very interesting article in the Globe that provided a different view -- it talked about how our society has never seen a strong, influential, politician who is female be open about her sex life. In her biography that is soon to be released she is quoted as saying that "she doesn't just sit at home and knit on Friday nights". We've never seen this type of candidness from a woman, and frankly it is quite liberating. Pierre Trudeau had scads of public relationships with many different females and yet he was always thought of as serious and respected was a politician.
Due to gender roles, the media, and religious foundations we've been conditioned to think poorly of women who have different men in their life and aren't afraid to show it. I think that accepting the liberation of women's sexuality is the last item to be checked off on the equality list, but I believe Belinda is putting herself out there and slowly paving the way -- and I definitely respect her for that!
I completely disagree with 13inquiries who said that the focus of the scandal seems to be about Domi. The focus without a doubt has been on Stronach... there have been countless 'profiles' about Belinda since the scandal, like this photo montage from the globe: Her life, her times — and her men.
I just got back from a weekend away (and 222E less than an hour ago) and have very much enjoyed reading through the thoughts and opinions shared here. Hopefully more of our classmates will join in this week!
I would particularly like to thank truemuskokan for bringing up yet another side of the story...
Certainly Stronach is making efforts to pave the way, or at least is responding to developments in the press in that manner. I wonder though: is it working?
I can't help but feel that the portrayal of Stronach is a world away from portrayals of Trudeau. My hope is that that this is the issue going through its teething stage. Sadly I find it entire probable that it is just another quick buck approach and serious evolution on the issues will be clouded by focusing too much on the scandal of the day.
If ou guys think that is bad, check this out: http://rense.com/general73/sheeple.jpg
Hi all!! Just making sure this actually works! Its funny how the media has evolved over the past 50 years or so. I remember my grandmother telling me that it was improper to discuss sex, religion, and politics in daily life when she was growing up. Now it seems like thats all we ever talk about. Talk about evolution and liberal thinking!
I was wondering about peoples thoughts on this:
Is the CBC today an effective and viable alternative to the private sector news media in giving critical analysis of the governments behaviour, or is it too concerned with its own finances to stir up criticisms?
Yes, the CBC is biased like every other news organization, and that I believe is to be expected. After all, can we really be surpised by this when it is a station that has had such a srong affiliation with the government. I think it would be interesting to analyze the biases of the CBC over the years to see how they compare to the views of the government of the day. For example, was the CBC was more left leaning in its opinions and broadcasting when the Liberals were in power?
Another thought: after discussing the popularity of the CBC in class the other day I decided on my four hour trek home for the weekend to give the station a chance. Suprinsingly, I actually listened to an interview it was airing for over an hour. I think that it is sad in a way that the CBC has felt out of taste with Canadian youths. I personally believe it would be a worthwhile endeavour for the CBC to be given a more modern facelift. Maybe that way the CBC would actually be able to politically reach the demographic of teens that so greatly lack the political efficacy needed in order to lead tomorrow. That way I believe they would have a much better shot at making a difference.
Hello Everyone,
In terms of a facelift for CBC, it is definitely a double-edged sword.
The reason being that if the station was "updated" to appeal to the younger generation, the baby-boomers as well as our grandparents are going to be upset that they are losing something that they enjoy.
Speaking from personal opinion whenever I watch the CBC I tend to fall asleep, however when I went to visit my Grandma she had it on more than any other channel.
Also, I spoke before about media agencies needing to be more credible and professional. Though this is true, the CBC, in my opinion, has these two characteristics down pat. Therefore, maybe this contradicts my statement. Maybe media agencies that display these two assets are neglected for something that is a little easier to digest. Is this what out generation has come to?
Yes, I know that we have hard days and when we return home we would like something a little easier to digest. BUT the generations before us had it even harder and they still look for news agencies that are credible and professional.
It is hard for me to understand our societal decline, especially because I am just as much a part of it as anyone else.
Here is a question to ponder, why do we look to media agencies that do not cover the hard-hitting stories? Why do we look for the "trash" instead of the current events that are tearing our world apart? Is it because we have more of a choice then our parents and/or grandparents did, in terms of media?
One thing is for certain; legitimate media agencies like the CBC are dying a slow death. Something needs to be changed, however what can be done? How do you up date a Canadian media icon and make it appeal to not only our generation but to our parents and grandparents...
Is professional media losing it's edge, or do you think as we get older channels like the CBC will begin to appeal more to us as well?
Any thoughts?
Hi all!! I have to believe that in a time where we are constantly bombarded with overly biased networks like Fox and CNN it is so important to have a television network like CBC. Despite the fact that it is slightly dry, it has informed Canadians for decades. Maybe it just seems boring to us because we are so used to sensationalist and biased news broadcasted straight to us from our friends in the United States of 'merica?? But that's just my opinion....Happy Thanksgiving all!
Hi Everyone,
Faithisthesubstance has a good point. Maybe we do find the CBC boring because we have more glitz and glamour available to us in the world of media.
Then again, maybe it is just, for the majority of us, our age. When I asked my mom the question she had the same belief. She too found the CBC dry when she was younger. However, she now states that it is much more enjoyable for her to watch now.
Therefore, maybe we will all one day be fans of the CBC, if we are already not today.
One final point to leave you with; What is more important, us wondering why no one is watching CBC or that we get the news from some where? I think half the battle for the younger generation is to get them to watch the news. If they want to watch CNN, CTV, Fox, or even read it on the Internet, who cares? As long as they are taking interest!
But hey, that is just my opinion.
Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!
I'm glad we have CBC- it has been a reliable source of information for Canadians for decades. I think that it's especially important because as we are constantly immersed in sensationalist and completely biased news, we still have choice. We can choose to watch CBC or we can choose to watch whatever else we want to, even if it's complete junk.
I feel that many people turn to trash rather than actual news because it's more exciting and doesn't effect us as much as actual hard-hitting news. I feel that hard-hitting news isn't a major concern for most people- maybe because they're uneducated on the topic, maybe they find it depressing, maybe they just don't care.. the possibilities are endless.
I'm glad we have CBC- it has been a reliable source of information for Canadians for decades. I think that it's especially important because as we are constantly immersed in sensationalist and completely biased news, we still have choice. We can choose to watch CBC or we can choose to watch whatever else we want to, even if it's complete junk.
I feel that many people turn to trash rather than actual news because it's more exciting and doesn't effect us as much as actual hard-hitting news. I feel that hard-hitting news isn't a major concern for most people- maybe because they're uneducated on the topic, maybe they find it depressing, maybe they just don't care.. the possibilities are endless.
Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving! I just caught up on the blog after being away for the weekend... so I thought I would drop a quick post.
The thought shared thus far on the CBC are very interesting to me! I don't think the CBC is as big of a leap from other networks as we might sometimes think. If the content seems boring to us, maybe that's because it is either not meant for us or (like any other enteprise) they're grappling with lining up their content with the desires of their market(s) against heavy competition. Also, the CBC does not necessarily equal to a more accurate reflection of the news, in my opinion. Certainly they have a reputation for being credible and professional. But so do many of the newspapers we discussed earlier as placing Stronach on the front page.
I personally think CBC is a good source of information, but, have to question whether it can be considered entirely reliable under the pressure of government, media partners, stakeholders, and other interested parties... not to mention advertisers. Censorship certainly occurs.
Just a comment on the reaction to yet another controversial anti-Muslim cartoon. I find it interesting that there is a huge outcry from the international Muslim community everytime an inappropriate comment or cartoon is made about their God and their religion, but yet for the amount of times that the Roman Catholic church has been critisized in the media for its ultra conservative views., and yet you have never seen any wide scale riots or outcries from the Christian community to have the scrutiny stopped.
Just remember that 1400 years into the Christian faith the Crusades were happening. I would call that a widespread riot if there ever was one.
Also, there has never been a Muslim "reformation" as there was in Christianity. One could argue that what we are seeing today is, in fact, the beginnings of such a reform. However, if this is the case it will undoubltedly be very difficult since there is no pope-like head of the Ummah to direct Muslim actions and reactions.
Feb 7, 2006
Thought I would start with the date, since I have no idea when many of these previous posts were written.
I figure this will help get the blog debate going again -- playing a little devils advocate. I threw down a hard line -- but I thought it was discussion provoking.
I would like to address todays class, re: Aboriginal Issues.
Now, there were many interesting things discussed in class, some viewed it as an injustice and a wrong that needs to be put right. Whereas others saw it as something that isn't right, but likely wont change.
Now, I really am unsure if it is likely to change anytime soon. Sure they are getting more attention, because everyone knows 10 years ago we had no idea how bad some things are on some of the reserves.
Do you not make your surroundings? Do you not make the place you live? I understand that they were conquered, and their land stolen and they were beaten, raped and tortured. These are all awful events that have taken place throughout our land and country's history.
If you drive through Jamestown in Toronto, or parts of Winnepeg -- do you not see some of the most horrible living conditions you have ever seen. It is easy for white "suburbinites" to sit back and say, hey look at how bad we treat our natives. How about how bad we treat so many of our people. We are allowing not only some of the most gruesome conditions for aboriginals, but in our own cities as well. Nothing is being done. Leaders will say lets make poverty history, or lets make a war on poverty and give equal oppurtunity to everyone.
The foundations are laid. The laws are set. At some point, the bull has to be grabbed by the horns and taken for a ride. Use the laws, use your rights and take advantage of them. No one will ever say they haven't been put in a hard position and stomped down to the ground at every cross road. Surely, they have. If no one ever fought for their rights and improved conditions for themselves and changed the public's perception where would every other culture be as well?
Someone mentioned the Italians. "All they are is construction workers and mafia members etc." How about those Italians. I am not Italian so there is no bias, but they came to North America, were thrown in the ghettos in our cities, were only able to get awful jobs, but now they are one of the most thriving cultures in our country. Who cares if they got there slugging bricks. The difference is they weren't too proud to carry bricks and pave roads. No one owed them anything. THey took the oppurtunity they had and utilized it. All, while protecting their culture. Walk through Woodbridge or Little Italy in Toronto, and tell me they sacrificed their culture for success, I don't think so.
I think, because of what our ancestors did to the Natives, they feel as though we owe them something. So they wait and wait until that debt is repaid. The fact remains, nothing can undo the wrong that has been done. We have granted them equal protection, and even given them an edge up in some situations, they need to seize the day mobilize and create a driving force in "our" world as they will call it. Their culture doesn't have to change, it has to adapt. It is their use of our commodities and accessories that has caused their culture to dissipate as it has. There are so many successful and proud natives in our country that look down on the natives that give every other native a bad name. It is time for them to stand up like so many other cultures have done. Blacks, Jews, Italians, Irish, Japanese, Chinese... all of them have been descriminated against, and all them are to a greater or lesser extent today, but, they can be seen successfully in all facates of our society. Maybe if we don't stand back and argue about the native issue leaving half pittiers and half saying its their own fault and help them use the tools they have to be successful -- then maybe they can and will.
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