Canada Free Press -- ARCHIVES

Because without America, there is no free world.

Return to Canada Free Press

EDITOR'S DESK

Human nature and the media

Judi McLeod

October 27, 2003

My first harsh lesson in the complexities of human nature came when I was young and gullible.

A brash new publisher had arrived at the Ajax News Advertiser, where yours truly was in real life, a rookie, and in Technicolor dreams, an up and coming investigative reporter. Publisher John Pritchard became an obsession in our after work beer-fuelled gripe sessions. The son of a preacher man, Pritchard came packed full of principles. He didn’t believe in any sloughing off and kept a sharp eye on expenses for the head office of what was then called Inland Publishing.

Butterflies began to flutter in my stomach the day the new publisher’s name was announced. Pritchard and I had not so long ago gone through another chapter when we both fought over the same turf for respective self-owned newspapers. When he was introducing himself to the newsroom, the new publisher never so much as blinked an eye in greeting his old foe.

"We have to get rid of him." "Someone has to complain to head office," was the main, if not only, theme of our beer parlour nightly griping. Eight reporters and photographers were singing the same refrain.

The new publisher, God forbid, put advertising before copy. If facts in stories weren’t airtight, he would see to it that copy editors spiked the story.

The rookie, who secretly wanted to be as tough as some of the tough-talking and more seasoned veterans, always waxed sympathetic to the litany of complaints.

"Someone has to sign a letter to Doug Bassett," was the final outcome of the bitching sessions. Doug Bassett was the big boss, an even more frightening specter than John Pritchard was.

"It can’t be you, kid," said a senior reporter, reminding the others how I had an axe to grind in previous chapters with J.P.

So it was decided that I would write down the complaints of everyone, then write them up in a letter that would be signed by someone else. "It will be good practice for you," they all agreed.

In short order, I had taken all their complaints, typed up the letter and delivered it back to them in the eager beaver style that can only be mustered by a real rookie.

The deed was done. A few days later, there was a more than usual somber atmosphere in the office. Pritchard was calling all eight reporters into his office--one at a time. As the junior, I was relegated to last, and my tummy churned as I awaited the publisher’s call. Noting how each reporter had returned head down from the glass office made my wait all the more worrisome.

Sitting on the other side of Pritchard’s desk, I was asked if I had heard any rumours about a certain letter sent to head office.

"Yes, I certainly did," I responded, "I’m the one who wrote it."

"Did you sign it too?" he asked.

"No, it was decided someone else would sign it, because of…ER, well, certain problems between you and me in the past."

I expected anything but what he said and did next. "Well, the others told me the idea of the letter was yours and that you not only wrote it but signed it."

Because at least two of the others were my personal heroes, I asked him:"Before you fire me, I wonder if you could tell me how many others".

"All," was his answer. Then he said that rather than firing me, he was promoting me.

"You were the only one who owned up to your part in all of this and rather than trying to blame someone else, stuck with the truth. I’m new here and need to be able to rely on someone."

Decades later, I find myself thinking of this lesson as I watch the mainline media in the Toronto mayoral election race.

I sincerely believe that led by the Toronto Star, the mainline media is all but orchestrating the outcome of the race.

The mainline media, which always knows what’s best for the electorate, prefers a left-leaning person in the chief magistrate’s office at Toronto City Hall.

It’s amazing how they ganged up on Tom Jakobek who lied to a Star reporter about being on a flight to an out of town hockey game.

Kicking a guy when he’s down is not a very attractive part of human nature. When the mainline media is doing it, it’s even more distasteful.

Tom Jakobek isn’t the first politician to have lied to the media and he certainly won’t be the last.

Problem here is he’s the first person to lie to the media when months back his chances of winning over Barbara Hall were fair to excellent.

The media has moved on from Hall to David Miller.

But once the mainline media has made up its mind that a left leaning mayor would be best, a worthy opponent is more loathed than a media liar is.

You too, Mr. Mills.

Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com


Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2018 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2018 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement