The Toronto Star newspaper, as expected, gave a one-sided account of a Toronto budget committee meeting in which a protester threatened an elected official.
The Star chose not to mention the threat, focusing instead on an irreverent remark made by the politician who was threatened.
It just so happens the politician is Councillor Doug Ford, brother of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, both of whom are reviled by the political left and mainstream media, though not by the majority of Toronto voters.
In an story written by Daniel Dale and Paul Moloney, headlined “'Get a job,' Doug Ford tells OCAP protester,” The Star quoted Doug Ford's response to protesters who disrupted a budget committee meeting.
An unidentified protester, pictured, is shown on video on the Web site of AM radio station 680 News saying to Ford: "If you make these fucking cuts we are coming after your ass."
The photo was captured from the 680 News video.
(If you are offended by the language, please direct your complaint to the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, at ocap@tao.ca).
The video is on the Web site of AM radio station 680 News, operated by Rogers Media. The Star made no mention this threat, despite the fact that The Star relied on the 680 News footage for Ford's “get a job” remark. If you watch the video to 2:04 and following, you will see the protester making this remark.
The protesters - who interfered with the business of politicians elected by a majority of voters - were alleged to be part of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), which organizes violent protests on a regular basis.
Although it's a matter of news judgment for The Star to focus on Doug Ford's response, The Star's failure to even mention the threat shows The Star is misleading the public by omitting relevant facts from their coverage.
In the online version of their article, Dale and Moloney wrote: "The Star did not witness the exchange between the protester and Doug Ford, which occurred near Ford’s seat after other members of the committee left the room amid shouting by protesters. It is not clear what immediately preceded it."
I call BS on this point. The Star reporters and editors knew perfectly well what went on in the meeting, because they examined the 680 News footage, which is how they knew Ford told someone to get a job. I don't have a problem with The Star's advocacy efforts. But I do have a problem when The Star presents itself as a newspaper and deliberately omits significant facts in order to paint a misleading picture of elected politicians its editors hate.
Notice I did not say Ford's comment was constructive. In fact, Doug Ford probably should have followed Councillor Michelle Berardinetti's example. She can be seen on the 680 News video leaving the room immediately after budget committee chairman Mike Del Grande called a recess. By telling them to "get a job," Ford has simply given those who resent the result of a democratic election (i.e., OCAP and The Star) more public relations ammunition.
After all, what's worse? Telling someone to get a job or threatening a democratically elected politician?
1 comment:
Nice blog, Greg! Keep it up.
This is not new for Toronto Star.
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