Real stories hidden behind media-proof walls
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Somehow, somewhere along the line, we’ve allowed government and big businesses to become media-proof.
Gone are the days of true investigative journalism, the days of newspapers and TV newscasts blowing the lid off things.
It used to be that when a scandal broke, reporters pointed fingers and named names — the guilty were held publicly accountable.
Now, corporations and politicians hide behind walls of communications personnel, who offer useless press releases and scripted statements, carefully crafted to give them the positive edge.
Reporters have become accustomed to hearing phrases like, “I’m afraid we can’t comment on that at this time,” or “I’ll have to get back to you on that.”
As a reporter, trying to reach any high-ranking official by phone is comparable to Wile E. Coyote trying to catch the Roadrunner. In most cases, the real bigwigs won’t even speak to the media unless the reporter is willing to provide a list of softball questions in advance of the interview so they can have their media team prepare safe, positive answers. And if the reporter is daring enough to ambush with an unscripted question, it’s likely they’ll never be granted a second interview.
Perhaps the most frustrating media road block is the constant threat of litigation. Those who find themselves named in less-than-sunny news bit are quick to cry libel, and many times the media has no choice but to back down and retract the story for fear of a pricey lawsuit — even if the story is 100 per cent true.
Take, for example, the recent incident near Fort McMurray, where hundreds of ducks were killed in the Syncrude tailing ponds. In one press conference, a somber Syncrude media man — appearing to be on the verge of tears — told reporters that the company was focusing all its energy on saving animals still stuck in the ponds.
However, Syncrude sternly refused to let the media see these extensive efforts.
A CTV news chopper later revealed that the Syncrude rescue effort consisted of one rickety-looking boat and two guys poking into the murky water with sticks.
We could also look back to the federal Liberal sponsorship scandal, where high-ranking officials out-and-out lied to the media. Clearly, there are parts of that story that will never see the light of day.
The sad fact in all this is many of the real stories are going untold. Occasionally, the media will strike a blow for Freedom of the Press, but more often than not governments and corporations are able escape accountability.
Of course, part of the blame should be shouldered by the media itself. Often we are content to accept the inane statements spoon-fed to us by media-savvy professionals, and occasionally we allow ourselves to be distracted by trivial items.
After Ralph Klein left the premier’s office, he instructed a journalism class at Mount Royal College in Calgary, where he passed on an amusing bit of wisdom he picked up during his years in office.
“A sound bite a day keeps the editors away.”
Contact Leo Paré at lpare@reddeeradvocate.com
COMMENTS
Posted by: hopeful?
Date: May-08-2008
Report as Violation
Posted by: Berne Mills
Date: May-13-2008
Report as Violation
