Governments needs to let the media in
For far too long now Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has thumbed his nose at the public and media.
That disdain was again on stark display last week when Harper came out to Conservative MP David Sweets nomination meeting for the new riding of Glanbrook-Flamborough at the Warplane Heritage Museum.
In complete campaign mode, Harper, a maniac for message and image control, accompanied by his well-stocked security force and jittery communications officials, managed to keep the media well away from what was a campaign-style event. For more than 30 minutes, he talked in general terms about how productive the country has become under the Conservative banner, with the media far enough away to hear but barely see him. He then refused to allow any questions from the media, waiving them off with a flick of his wrist, as they were led back into a holding area.
This type of contempt for the media and by extension to the public is a slap in the face to Canadas democratic traditions. But its become part of Harpers modus operandi when it comes to ignoring criticism and avoiding unseemly questions.
Every time Harper has come to Hamilton the same scenario unfolds. When he does allow a question or two from the media, it has to be vetted by a communications minion to make sure it does not offend Harpers sensibilities.
While Harper and his acolytes dont seem particularly concerned about their deliberate abandonment of accountability, more troubling is that their kingly process could be a model that future leaders will follow.
Recently, Premier Kathleen Wynne during her trip to Northern Ontario demonstrated her lack of accountability by refusing to meet with the media for questions. It was a troubling sign coming from a premier who recently won a resounding majority election.
Most Canadians dont have the time or connections to gather important political information for themselves, so the media asks the questions that matter and holds the government to account on behalf of the people. By shutting the media out, politicians arent punishing journalists, but rather all citizens who have a stake in whats being done in their names. Some politicians think that they can go over the heads of the media and talk directly to voters through social media or TV, radio and direct mail advertising, but most people see that for what it is: propaganda.
It may be embarrassing for a politician to be asked a critical question, but the cost of not having that question asked is catastrophic to all Canadians.