The missing Spinks

For the past several months I’ve been reflecting about this blog. When I started Spink About It back in July 2006 it was after a year of being an observer in blogs and offering comments to what other people wrote. I figured it was about time to take a more active role in leading off the conversation. The focus of the blog was often observations about how New Brunswick media was treating certain stories. Often they seemed to be missing key points. I often wrote of what I called a left-winged mindset in most newsrooms. I don’t buy in that there’s some kind of liberal conspiracy going on, but I do think newsrooms for the most part are made up of a lot of like minded people which means perspectives and views are omitted simply because there’s no one in the news meeting saying, “Have you considered X?”

I was quite simply blown away by the reaction to the discussion here. Between Spink About It and my side project 101 people who are screwing up Canada (and 10 who are not), there have been more than 700 posts, 300,000 visits and thousands of comments. Among the commentators have been politicians and media which has shown me that this little blog may not necessarily be influential but it was read and cared about enough for these people to comment. At the very least the blogs offered another point of view that they at least thought about.

Now that CanadaEast, CBC and most other news sites offer comments sections, other views are making it into the public discourse. It’s something I advocated long before the mainstream media did it but there is truth to the saying, “Be careful what you wish for”.

I’m with STU Professor Philip Lee on this one. The comments section at news sites such as CBC have become a free for all. Comments which would never pass the sniff test for a news story or make it on the air in CBC’s Talkback segment are posted without question on the website. Sometimes the really bad ones are removed but by the time that rarely does happen the damage is already done. As Mr. Lee has found out the CBC has washed their hands of virtually any responsibility. Too bad.

With that said, I am walking away from blogging at least for now. I had hoped to get some of the more prominent New Brunswick bloggers together for a shared blog but many of those bloggers have shut down in recent months. If anyone is looking for a guest blogger from time to time feel free to contact me as I’m probably still good for the odd rant.

So thanks to all who have visited this site and the 101 people who are screwing up Canada (and 10 who are not) and offered comments, criticism and support. It is all appreciated. Although blogs by their nature are often critical we really do live in a great province with some great people. There’s far more good in New Brunswick than bad. Thanks for stopping by.

Crossposted -Spink About It

Edi-rant

I’ve written many times here regarding the CBC structure pointing out what I see as problems.

The Moncton Times & Transcript Editorial folks obviously have some beefs about the issue too but good grief this is a rant not an editorial.

From the T&T “They say there is no fat to cut. If you had $1,000 per day for every day the world has seen since Jesus was born (365 times 2008), you'd only have $732.9 million and would have to add $267 million more to get the CBC's annual budget.”

It’s not the essence of the editorial I have a problem with. Times are tough for all media and CBC should look within and make some clear, public decisions to control their finances well before asking for more taxpayer money but the editorial of the Times & Transcript has been looking more and more over recent months like someone’s personal crusade. I’m not certain what goes on in the editorial meetings but some new blood is clearly in order.

Crosssposted - Spink About It

Seems Ivan Court was on to something about bias at the Telegraph Journal

When I heard this morning that Saint John Mayor Ivan Court had cancelled his Telegraph Journal subscription and was now refusing to do interviews with anyone from the T.J. short of debating publisher Jamie Irving, my first thought was here’s another politician upset about media coverage and choosing to shoot the messenger.

Or maybe not.

Telegraph Journal Editor Shawna Richer responded by telling CBC Radio that Court’s criticism is misguided and the T.J. is simply doing its job as an advocate.

There’s where Richer lost me.

She has admitted a journalistic publication has a bias and an agenda. The paper isn’t supposed to be an advocate of anything. Granted we know bias exists but at least most media outlets try at least a thinly veiled attempt at trying to hide when they’re pushing an agenda. Richer had admitted the T.J. in fact is out to “get” the City.

Is it any wonder Court doesn’t want to talk to them.

This isn’t about hiding the facts. The T.J. and any media outlet should and in fact must report the facts. They also must do their very best to present the various sides of a story in a fair and equitable manner. Then it’s up to the public to decide. The T.J. has crossed that line into advocate journalism and taking a stand instead of simply reporting the news.

Given that who can blame Court for not being suspicious of their motives. Frankly anyone being interviewed by the Telegraph Journal would be perhaps wise to first ask, “What’s your agenda on this story?” since admittedly they have one, at least when it comes to the City of Saint John.

Crossposted - Spink About It

New Brunswick getting hosed at the pumps

Considering that New Brunswick has lower gas taxes than Nova Scotia (Shawn Graham cut taxes by 4.3 cents a litre when he won in 2006), does someone want to explain to me why that gap has not only narrowed but this week Nova Scotia is now paying LESS than New Brunswickers at the pump?

Seriously, why isn’t our government screaming foul? Something is seriously wrong.

Crossposted -Spink About It

Merry Christmas

Blogging has been admittedly light to say the least over the past few months. I've been taking some time reflecting the future of this blog and what direction to take it in.

With that being said, I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2009.

Crossposted - Spink About It

Time for another election

I'm really not crazy about Harper putting the locks on Parliament but the other choice looked even worse.

I tend to agree that Harper doesn't have a majority and shouldn't govern like he does (although the Liberals essentially let him do that prior to this past election). However neither do the Liberals/NDP have a mandate to govern either. Clearly they were at the very least comtemplating this scenario if not conspiring together prior to if not immediately after the last election.

If they think a coalition is the answer then that's fine but be honest about it and let the voters decide.

What they should be doing is working with the Conservatives (the reverse is true as well) and negotiating. Don't like the economic update? Then suggest changes you can live with. It's give and take all around. However saying almost immediately after the update that it's time to overthrow the government weeks after the election?

If they're so confident that voters want a coalition government then be honest about it and take it to the voters. Let us decide, not an "on his way out" leader of a party that even they don't want anymore.

Spink About It

New Libs on the Bloc

“Liberals tend to lose their minds when they are out of power for more than one election cycle…” Andrew Potter, MacLean’s, December 1, 2008

Crossposted -Spink About It

Poking the language bear

How to set back English-French Relations 101.

Crossposted - Spink About It

Carmel Robichaud sent to the bleachers

I’m hearing a lot of lamenting today about not enough female representation in the Liberal Cabinet. Fair enough, but there aren’t that many female MLA’s to choose from nor do I think that someone should be given a golden ticket to Cabinet based on nothing but the fact that they’re a woman, man, black, white, Catholic, Protestant, and the list goes on. That’s ridiculous. Just because you happen to be a certian gender, ethinicity, etc. doesn’t make you a good Minister.

Carmel Robichaud is a prime example. She made 101 people who are screwing up Canada for good reason and frankly she still owes an apology to New Brunswickers for her lax attitude towards penalties for drunk drivers.

Granted, that’s not the reason she got the boot from Cabinet today but we’re all better for her being sent to the backbenches. She wasn’t a good Minister and Shawn Graham knows it or he would have kept her.

It’s rare I’ll root for the NDP but next election hopefully NDP Leader Roger Duguay trounces Robichaud.

Crossposted -Spink About It

One less voice

According to my blogging colleague, Gypsy Blog, the Carleton Free Press in Woodstock is no more (he works there so he should know),

It’s too bad. We seriously need more voices in media not less. That doesn’t mean government has to step in and force it as some have suggested but competition is a positive thing. A good product is a good product. If someone can provide it that good product, people will buy it. Admittedly though it is tougher when you’re going up against an established product run by folks with deep pockets.

Still, running a second weekly in a small market like Woodstock was bound to be difficult from the get go. Unfortunate in two respects. One for the workers of the Free Press and two, others may be less likely to venture against the Irving owned newspapers in other markets. That’s too bad, because Moncton for one could seriously use some competition.

Crossposted- Spink About It