We only know what the media tells us to know.
Sounds a little philosophical right?
But it's true.
Right now, you're aware that a Malaysian jetliner disappeared about an hour after takeoff, that tensions are building in the Crimean part of the Ukraine, that an 18-year-old Duke University student is using her porn career to pay her way through college, that NHL player Rich Peverley collapsed on the bench during a game a couple of nights ago and that pop star Justin Bieber was a huge brat in his deposition (what a shock).
You're aware of this because the media has made you aware of it, whether you read it online, in the newspaper, heard it on the radio or saw it on the 6 o'clock news.
The media picks and chooses what it'll report and what it won't but since the dawn of the printing press, you as the public hope that you're being constantly informed on the most important, pivotal things happening around the world, in a fair, un-bias fashion (and yes, a little trashy gossip that really isn't all that important as it is scandalous doesn't hurt either - cue the Kardashians).
Every week, when you pick up your copy of the Humboldt Journal, you're doing it because you want to know what's happening in your community, right? And you put your trust in our paper that we're giving you the honest lowdown on the issues at hand without holding back certain details, or even manipulating them.
The point is that the media is incredibly powerful, and although it's constantly evolving, from the height of daily papers to the all-consuming digital age, its influence is dominating and really helps to shape your point of view on the world around you, which brings me to this:
Media baron Pierre Karl Péladeau was the vice-chairman of Quebecor Inc., until a few days ago when he stepped down to announce his run for the Parti Québécois. Quebecor owns 75 per cent of Quebecor Media, which operates subsidiaries such as Sun Media and Canoe Inc. as well.
Calling himself a sovereigntist, it's big news that the corporation tycoon supports Quebec as an independent country but what is even more worrisome is this:
He is adamant that he will not sell his Quebecor shares, of which he controls 30 per cent.
Conflict of interest much?
He did assure the public he'd discuss any qualms with ethics commissioner Jacques Saint-Laurent should he be elected April 7 but nonetheless, someone who controls political influence as powerful as the media suddenly jumping into politics himself, is troubling.
Quebecor has enormous presence in Quebec, as its holdings in that province include Le Journal de Montreal, the French-language TVA television network and the Videotron cable company.
Péladeau denies suggestions he'll puppeteer what the papers can publish about him or the PQ, insisting the papers can "say whatever they want."
Let's hope, for the sake of the media's credibility as a truth-seeker, that this isn't just a bunch of baloney.
If I was a Quebec resident should Péladeau wins his riding in April, I'd be pretty weary about the political reports I read from any Quebecor publications.
Call me crazy but the one thing I've learned as a journalist is that you never mix business with pleasure; in fact, even our Canadian Press handbook states this clearly:
"A cardinal rule with sources [ie: the general public] is to avoid close personal involvement. There is nothing wrong with social contact with sources, but close personal relationships can lead to conflicts of interest."
In other words, don't contaminate the media realm by letting your own personal convictions, feelings or beliefs seep into news reports; it'll lead to a cesspool of embellishments, fabrications and snippets here or there of the truth instead of the whole kit and caboodle.
So when thinking about this bizarre hodge podge of Péladeau, Marois, the PQ (a traditionally lefty, pro-union party) and Quebecor Inc. (a mega corporation), a simple yet important phrase comes to mind:
Strange bedfellows.
No, not that (well yes, that).
I meant to say, in regards to future political stories from Quebecor publications, to perhaps 'Take it with a grain of salt' should Péladeau emerge victorious next month.
Just a thought.
CM
