I am a blogger and I am biased. But you know that already. I have a sign on my blog that clearly shows me being a Blogging Tory. With that knowledge you can filter my opinions as you will. Too bad media members make no such declarations. Warren Kinsella has an interesting post as to why this is a problem and before you can say Liberal MSM bias, Warren clearly shows that it cuts both ways.
...So, for instance, I object to the fact that media organizations buy tickets at political fundraisers - which outfits like the Toronto Star do all the time. It's a conflict. Or that the Star's Jim Travesty gets invited for beers at 24 Sussex, all cozy-like, and he never discloses that to his readership. That's a conflict, too. Or that a celebrated CBC TV talking head - an “analyst,” he's called - rings up to warn a well-connected Ottawa lobby firm whenever bad news is imminent. That, too, is a conflict.
What are we to make, then, of a certain political press gallery today being (a) invited to a certain Ontario opposition leader's cottage (b) offered overnight lodging (c) playing a leisurely round of golf and knocking back canapés and ale, and (d) being ferried back to civilization later on? It's a good deal for John Tory, sure, but I'm not so certain it's a good deal for a newspaper's readership, say.
I am not sure why Warren calls out Jim Travers but obscures the CBC analysts identity. My guess is that his initials are K.B.
I may not be as good a writer as those in the professional media but I hold myself to a higher standard when it comes to disclosures.
