CBC Caught Misreporting Harper Statement

Charles Anthony · August 17, 2006

When I questioned Mr. Clement about criticism of the CBC and the suggestion that the Harper Gov.t migh get rid of it, he asked me where I got this information and I cited this one MapleLeaf and Freedominion.
The reply was that they definetly had nothing to do with Freedominion, however My observation about MapleLeaf was ignored.

Can you be more clear? What exactly did you ask? Please re-iterate what your question was to Mr. Clement.

Do not say you "questioned" him. What question did you ask? Do not say you "cited" anything. Say exactly what you cited. Do not say you "reminded" him of this site. What exactly was the dialogue?

I am struggling to understand exactly what you are saying.

You told Mr.Clement that this discussion group said that the Conservative government is scrapping the CBC. Is that correct?

It sounds like you are attributing Conservative Party platform to things that are posted on this discussion group. Is that correct?

Greg · August 17, 2006

When reminded of this site he conveniently ignored it and when reminded of Freedominion he was adamant that Freedominion had nothing to do with the Conservative party and was not in any way condoned.

Backup, please explain this further. "This site" or the forum located at Maple Leaf Web? There is abit big BIG difference!

Perhaps they didn't mention this site because they simply weren't aware of it? Mapleleafweb is hardly on the same scale, either in size or notoriety, as Freedominion.

We're two totally different websites. MLW is non-partisan political education website, FreeDominion is a conservative news forum.

And, as far as I know, Mapleleafweb is a project based at the University of Lethbridge, not some shadowy operative's basement.

We are located and are only a "partner" with the University of Lethbridge. We have a seperate board of directors and the University has no direct involvement in the day to day operations of MLW or Policy.ca

Although we're not quite in the basement, we're on the fifth floor!

When I questioned Mr. Clement about criticism of the CBC and the suggestion that the Harper Gov.t migh get rid of it, he asked me where I got this information and I cited this one MapleLeaf and Freedominion.
The reply was that they definetly had nothing to do with Freedominion, however My observation about MapleLeaf was ignored.

Yikes, lets all be careful not to attribute things to MLW...

scribblet · August 17, 2006

CBC should not be funded with taxpayer's money, particularly as it is left wing and biased in its reporting.

thats exactly my point, a lot of conservatives want to do away with the CBC and Clement denies it is part of their policy.

It isn't, go to their site and read their policy.

I too look forward to your reply to the questions others have also asked.

jbg · August 18, 2006

Well, you got some kind of concession that the report was structured in a misleading way. Isn't this more than you expected ?

I think that we're in a very tenuous situation with regards to information management these days, and it's vital that responsible parties from all sides engage each other positively, in good faith.

Actually yes it is more than I expect, I am looking forward to the result of an enquiry.

E-mailed from CBC Ombudsman:

I should point out that the response of the producer is not my

response. I merely passed it along as information. As I said in the

note, I am conducting my own review of the coverage. That review

should be completed soon.

Ricki Bobbi · August 18, 2006

Are people actually trying to say that the Conservative Party should have to answer for posts on Free Dominion as if they were party policy? Even when there is no connection between FD and the party?

Does that mean the NDP should be responsible for any postings on Rabble? Or should the Liberals be? But wait there are some Liberals who would be more comfortable on FD than on Rabble. Hmmm, very confused...

Michael Hardner · August 18, 2006

Are people actually trying to say that the Conservative Party should have to answer for posts on Free Dominion as if they were party policy? Even when there is no connection between FD and the party?
Does that mean the NDP should be responsible for any postings on Rabble? Or should the Liberals be? But wait there are some Liberals who would be more comfortable on FD than on Rabble. Hmmm, very confused...

It's just another rumour mill. There's no reason to make too much out of it.

I'd rather have a journalist approach a minister and say "Mr. Minister, what do you think of the cross-partisan social services reform package developed and endorsed on MapleLeaf by Kimmy, Hardner, August1991, Argus, Scriblett etc. etc."

A salesman has got to dream...

Hicksey · August 18, 2006

Are people actually trying to say that the Conservative Party should have to answer for posts on Free Dominion as if they were party policy? Even when there is no connection between FD and the party?
Does that mean the NDP should be responsible for any postings on Rabble? Or should the Liberals be? But wait there are some Liberals who would be more comfortable on FD than on Rabble. Hmmm, very confused...

It's just another rumour mill. There's no reason to make too much out of it.

I'd rather have a journalist approach a minister and say "Mr. Minister, what do you think of the cross-partisan social services reform package developed and endorsed on MapleLeaf by Kimmy, Hardner, August1991, Argus, Scriblett etc. etc."

A salesman has got to dream...

Maybe we're starting to take ourselves a bit too seriously.

But I do really like that. It was enough to force a much needed chuckle.

Ricki Bobbi · August 18, 2006

Starting?

I think a lot of us on here take ourselves far too seriously. Such is life, eh? :lol:

Maybe we're starting to take ourselves a bit too seriously.
But I do really like that. It was enough to force a much needed chuckle.

Michael Hardner · August 18, 2006

It is to laugh.... :lol:

scribblet · August 18, 2006

Are people actually trying to say that the Conservative Party should have to answer for posts on Free Dominion as if they were party policy? Even when there is no connection between FD and the party?
Does that mean the NDP should be responsible for any postings on Rabble? Or should the Liberals be? But wait there are some Liberals who would be more comfortable on FD than on Rabble. Hmmm, very confused...

I take it that way (from the Margrace posting), she seems to have a personal beef with FD and writes her MP to complain and also questions him about MLW. Not sure why, But as far as I know there is no bulletin board that is actually sponsored by the conservatives. If there is I'd like to know about it.

Michael Hardner · August 18, 2006

I know the NDP had a 'party members only' board awhile back... Certainly it's not a bad idea, and I think that lack of anonymity would greatly reduce a lot of problems boards like MLW face...

kimmy · August 18, 2006

I'd rather have a journalist approach a minister and say "Mr. Minister, what do you think of the cross-partisan social services reform package developed and endorsed on MapleLeaf by Kimmy, Hardner, August1991, Argus, Scriblett etc. etc."
A salesman has got to dream...

:lol: The idea of the parties communications directors briefing MPs on the latest ideas coming out of our message board non-partisan think tank does make me smile.

-k

Michael Hardner · August 18, 2006

The idea of the parties communications directors briefing MPs on the latest ideas coming out of our message board non-partisan think tank does make me smile.
-k

It is quite funny. However, that might not always be the case.

The TTC riders' board in Toronto came up with a list of initiatives the TTC should under take. Local weekly EYE magazine then took that list to Howard Moscoe and asked him to respond. It was, to me, the first baby steps towards creating an internet 'public' that could provide input to public institutions.

Public institutions evolve to the point where they only respond to requests from the top, which invariably makes them into political institutions, responding only when the sleepy masses of voters notice them - typically in a crisis. A board such as MapleLeaf provides an excellent sample of informed, intelligent, cross-partisan individuals who can arguably brainstorm and provide better ideas than the bureaucracy.

jbg · August 18, 2006

I know the NDP had a 'party members only' board awhile back... Certainly it's not a bad idea, and I think that lack of anonymity would greatly reduce a lot of problems boards like MLW face...

I tihnk a good compromise would be that the owners of the Board should have access to a person's "real" identity, though not other posters.

Ricki Bobbi · August 18, 2006

Here is a stock answer you would/should get from 99% of MPs offices if you wrote such a letter (and they took the time to write back to you). btw do any of the major parties officially sponsor a message board?

Dear Margrace,

I thank you for taking the time to send me your concerns. It is always nice to hear from my constituents.

My office is in no way connected with FD or MLW.

Please feel free to contact my office with any concerns regarding Federal issues.

Sincerely,

Random parliamentarian, MP-Riding name.

I take it that way (from the Margrace posting), she seems to have a personal beef with FD and writes her MP to complain and also questions him about MLW. Not sure why, But as far as I know there is no bulletin board that is actually sponsored by the conservatives. If there is I'd like to know about it.

Hicksey · August 19, 2006

The idea of the parties communications directors briefing MPs on the latest ideas coming out of our message board non-partisan think tank does make me smile.

-k

It is quite funny. However, that might not always be the case.

The TTC riders' board in Toronto came up with a list of initiatives the TTC should under take. Local weekly EYE magazine then took that list to Howard Moscoe and asked him to respond. It was, to me, the first baby steps towards creating an internet 'public' that could provide input to public institutions.

Public institutions evolve to the point where they only respond to requests from the top, which invariably makes them into political institutions, responding only when the sleepy masses of voters notice them - typically in a crisis. A board such as MapleLeaf provides an excellent sample of informed, intelligent, cross-partisan individuals who can arguably brainstorm and provide better ideas than the bureaucracy.

And 'bought and paid for' political agendas would go the way of the do-do bird because ... who could afford to bribe all of us enough for us all to agree?

Ricki Bobbi · August 23, 2006

Going back to the topic of the thread, the CBC has officially expressed their *regret* for the way the story was reported.

Good work keeping them, somewhat, honest!

http://www.stephentaylor.ca/archives/000653.html

geoffrey · August 23, 2006

And 'bought and paid for' political agendas would go the way of the do-do bird because ... who could afford to bribe all of us enough for us all to agree?

I'd take a bribe.

mcqueen625 · August 23, 2006

Is anyone surprised at this blatent and delberate misrepresentation? This is a case for the ombudsman.

This is a case for making CBC purely an educational channel, for Shakespeare plays and the like.

It is clearly time to completely turn off the financial tap that the CBC has become so accustomed to receiving from taxpayer dollars. It is time to turn this nightmare into a PBS where the people who want it pay a subscription to join, similar to what they do south of the border. We should never have a publically funded broadcaster like the CBC in competition with other commercial networks, who must raise their own money to operate.

I was going to say that maybe it is time for the taxpayer's to fund the only real unbiased news source in Canada, which is the Canadian Free Press, but then it would no longer be free to print the truth.

That said I do not agree with the CRTC allowing the further concentration of media ownership, such as the recently announce takeover of CHUM (City TV) by CTV. In fac teh CRTC and the government itself needs to take a look at the concentration of media ownership, including the print media, right across Canada. In New Brunswick for instance we now have the ownership of just about all English language daily, weekly, by-weekly newspapers owned by the Irving Empire, including a free alternative community newpaper call "HERE." My guess is the Irving Empire wanted no competition for advertising dollars.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to read anything, or see anything that is not politically biased. I guess the former Liberal government paid them well to sprout Liberal dribble.

Michael Hardner · August 23, 2006

McQ:

It is clearly time to completely turn off the financial tap that the CBC has become so accustomed to receiving from taxpayer dollars. It is time to turn this nightmare into a PBS where the people who want it pay a subscription to join, similar to what they do south of the border. We should never have a publically funded broadcaster like the CBC in competition with other commercial networks, who must raise their own money to operate.

It is time ? What makes it time ? Certainly not one little error, or maybe that was the straw that broke your camel's back.

The CPC isn't going to touch the CPC anytime soon. Even with a majority, they'd be cautious to attempt any drastic cuts. So it may be time, but people aren't ready for it.

I was going to say that maybe it is time for the taxpayer's to fund the only real unbiased news source in Canada, which is the Canadian Free Press, but then it would no longer be free to print the truth.

The CFP certainly has a bias, but it might be your bias that's getting in the way of seeing that.

I don't expect the CBC to run constant features on Donald Trump, but I'd like to see less political content. That change would better service viewers and taxpayers, in my opinion.

Ricki Bobbi · August 24, 2006

The Government won't have to make drastic cuts. Once the CBC loses Hockey Night in Canada drastic cuts will have to be made. The Conservatives will be on very strong ground politically if they simply refuse to replace the revenue lost from Mother Corp's biggest cash cow.

Yet another example of the market serving the greater good of Canadians.

The CPC isn't going to touch the CPC anytime soon. Even with a majority, they'd be cautious to attempt any drastic cuts. So it may be time, but people aren't ready for it.
The CFP certainly has a bias, but it might be your bias that's getting in the way of seeing that.

I don't expect the CBC to run constant features on Donald Trump, but I'd like to see less political content. That change would better service viewers and taxpayers, in my opinion.

jdobbin · August 24, 2006

The Government won't have to make drastic cuts. Once the CBC loses Hockey Night in Canada drastic cuts will have to be made. The Conservatives will be on very strong ground politically if they simply refuse to replace the revenue lost from Mother Corp's biggest cash cow.

Why not just cut it and head Canadian content regulations?

Ricki Bobbi · August 24, 2006

Because politics is the art of the practical. Much better to let the CBC slowly wither to second-rate PBS status (if you don't believe that's where it is already....) No electoral risk in that one.

Why not just cut it and head Canadian content regulations?

jdobbin · August 24, 2006

Because politics is the art of the practical. Much better to let the CBC slowly wither to second-rate PBS status (if you don't believe that's where it is already....) No electoral risk in that one.

I'd rather see it gone than for that to happen.