PMO pushes, CTV pushes back

Yesterday, at the end of  CTV's Question Period broadcast,   there was some strong and remarkable evidence of journalists pushing back against the Prime Minister's Office.  Rather than explain the story, why don't I just put the transcript here? I would imagine we'll be hearing more about this in the days to come:

JANE TABER: Craig, we've got to address a complaint. We received a complaint from the Prime Minister's director of communications Sandra Buckler about something you said on the show about the fact the Environment Minister or the Finance Minister would not come on to talk about Dion's green plan.

CRAIG OLIVER: And it was accurate for me to say they had both turned us down. However, they did offer us Jason Kenney, the Minister of Multiculturalism, to attack the government's green plan, and we said, sorry, we're not talking about multiculturalism, we're talking about taxation or we're talking about environment. And so they're insisting that we should take their person. And the question really is who's producing the show? Are we producing the show or is the Prime Minister's office producing the show? Would somebody tell me?

TABER: I think Sandra Buckler has an idea about who's producing the show, and I think that she, when she offers someone, she expects...

OLIVER: She thinks we should take her candidate.

TABER: Exactly.

OLIVER: Any time somebody's offered by her, that's the person we should have on the show. Not somebody we choose.

TABER: And we have to say that Jason Kenney of course did appear on the show, but we spoke to him in a panel situation with other MPs about, you know, what the accomplishments of the government were.

OLIVER: And we were glad to have him.

TABER: We were very glad to have him, we're always glad to have Jason Kenney on the show. So that's the complaint, we've addressed it, and as we leave you we're going to leave with you pictures from the studio of Parliament Hill and the preparations for the July 1st celebrations. Thanks for watching. We'll see you next week.

Comments

[wascally wabbit]

An interesting dialogue...especially from that source...
I rarely watch CTV's Question Period..since - a few years back - I thought Craig Oliver gave the Tories of the day far too easy a ride - compared to say a Don Newman in general..(or his Friday panel of pundits in particular!)...
Heck - Question Period was up there in Pierre Bourque Deep Blue territory!
I confess - more recently - since Jane Taber has been carrying the heavier part of the load - the balance of questions has improved somewhat...
As for Sandra Buckler and her team of non-communicators - they can't have it both ways - complaining on the one hand that the "Media" is biased - and then trying to play switcheroo with the Flower Pots - depending upon who the "Boss" trusts that week...
Good for Messrs. Oliver and Taber for giving light to that little game...

[Caroline]

"However, they did offer us Jason Kenney, the Minister of Multiculturalism, to attack the government's green plan"

Is this exactly Craig Oliver said(from story above)? If so then somebody better tell Mr. Oliver that it's not the "government's green plan" they were discussing (Thank God!) but the opposition's totally useless tax grab plan!

This says it all to me! The Liberals still can't get over the fact that they are no longer in power and the Toronto media can't either!!

Pathetic!

[Scott]

"I would imagine we'll be hearing more about this in the days to come"

Why? What would be the point of hearing more about this? This is just a silly little childish game on all their parts.

Re Wabbit's comment: Taber and balanced questions? Now there's an oxymoron.

[ian]

Well those media guys sure told those Tories how things were going to be run!
Oh by the way who did they get?

[Jim Pook]

Another whine-fest from the mainstream media. Did you ever consider that these people actually have real work to do, and may not always be available for your 30 second trash-talk interviews? Perhaps they offered Mr. Kenney because they knew he would already be at your studio and he had time to deal with another interview.

Or, perhaps they know that the Liberal Green Shaft is really nothing more than a tax plan to suck billions of dollars out of the Canadian economy and Jason Kenney is better suited to talk about the tax implications of Dion's "plan". Nice code word for a massive tax plan, too bad you don't get the fact that the green they refer to is cash.

[JK]

CRAIG OLIVER: And it was accurate for me to say they had both turned us down. However, they did offer us Jason Kenney, the Minister of Multiculturalism, to attack the government's green plan

Someone tell Greg that the liberal party is no longer the government. The guy needs to retire.

[BrainDrainXP]

"However, they did offer us Jason Kenney, the Minister of Multiculturalism, to attack the government's green plan, and we said, sorry, we're not talking about multiculturalism, we're talking about taxation or we're talking about environment."

Attack the Government's Green plan?

Note to Craig Oliver: The Liberals are the Official Opposition as they lost the last general election.

Maybe someday, there will be a non-biased media in this country. Until then, I can dream.

[pj]

So, CTV Question period get to decide who speaks for the Government of Canada on a certain issue? Sure seems to me that someone is trying to "produce" something.

[Gen. Lee Wright]

So essentially what you're saying is that it was a Sunday? If you want an interview with Bill Gates and are offered Steve Balmer instead, do you throw a hissy fit or are you happy to have an interview with someone in the company?

Just because you have a show to do doesn't mean that you get to choose everyone who's going to be on the show; they have the right to decline. This is the point, I believe, they're trying to make. Take 'Right-of-Communist is Politically Incorrect with Bill Mahar' for example, does he choose or do those who actually represent contrasting views get to decide who will appear on his show?

[Paulsstuff]

For a guy Oliver's age who has been around politics all his life, you would think he understands the job of Parliamentry Secretary to the Prime Minister. Hey Craig, here's a little refresher on what one of your hero's used that position for.

"During Jean Chrétien's term as Prime Minister of Canada, parliamentary secretaries were set to two-year terms and the post was used as a reward for weary backbenchers. Their duty was to answer questions and table reports on behalf of ministers when they were unable to be present in the house."

So Oliver and Taber have an issue with him addressing the issue. Did it ever dawn on them he discusses various issues in the House of Commons daily for cabinet ministers? I guess Craig feels he deserves more than the highest House in the land.

[Barry W]

God - how pathetic are Canadian journalists.... It is a non story and it is even more pathetic that Delacourt seems to think this is the heroic Candian Media "pushing back" and worth a blog. Can't wait for Travers to weigh in. Tim Russert could push back...

[J. Weatherman]

Oliver and Taber's comments more closely resemble stuffy arrogance than the journalistic integrity they are invoking.

The quality of Canadian Sunday morning political talk is sophmoric and shallow compared to that offered on the US networks.

Could one imagine the late Tim Russert pouting over who the DNC's congressional leadership named to talk about the President's agenda?

CTV - and others in the media - would benefit from more time spent researching the issues and positions of parties and candidates than clashing with them over the mundane.

[Lindsay]

Um... so you're saying that cabinet ministers must drop everything when CTV decides to allow an interview? And it had better be the one CTV wants. No substitutes, even if at the cabinet level? To comment on the phantasmagorical that slithered out from another party's internal squabbling. Oh yeah ... let's all get our [censored] noses up each other's [censored] and have a mighty whine.

[nbt]

I think the PMO still have their back up a little bit. I think this ethos will pass over time as the Tories get used to things up there for a few years. It's not like I haven't heard any of the news networks in the US say that so and so from the Republicans denied our invitation. Like that's a big deal. Like they care. Geesh!

[Durward]

If you make a living talking politics should'nt you know who is in government?
Oliver needs to resign or CTV should remove him from his post LOL.
CTV is making CBC look unbiased by comparison.

[Dane M]

It is arrogant beyond reason for the press to assume they have a right to decide who can speak on behalf of the government. I'm sure if Oliver and Taber had their choice they would have Maxime Bernier there to respond so they could combine a double hit. Oliver was almost bristling as he indicating it was up to them to decide who speaks for the Canadian Government. Which leads one to ponder,Who elected Craig Oliver?

Oliver's attitude during the entire show was that of a Dion sychophant - calling the "Green Shift" a bold initative in the area of Dion's strength. The Green Shift contains no targets only taxes and as for strength under Dion as Minister of the Environment green house gases increased over 30% - what kind of strength is that?

Don't look now Mr Oliver but when you stated "However, they did offer us Jason Kenney, the Minister of Multiculturalism, to ATTACK THE GOVERNMENT'S GREEN PLAN" your political bias is showing. The Liberals aren't the governemnt no matter how much you may wish it.

[MaryT]

And why did the ctv keep quiet about the potential problem with the title of dion's plan.
Message to Delacourt and Craig, the liberals are not the government.
Over 2 years and the media has not got the message, liberals, out, liberals will be out for several years. If liberals ever get back in even with a minority, Alberta will be out.
We will not tolerate another NEP or Green Shift Tax, or GST2.

[Kellie]

Don't you think it is time the media realizes neither they nor the Liberals are in power? The whining from both is endless!

No wonder Harper ignores the media or gives them short shrift. They really are woefully ignorant on many issues and have an over-inflated sense of importance.

Besides, isn't Craig Oliver past his due date?

[Calgary Junkie]

Craig and Jane, singing (to the tune of Dire Straits "Money for Nothing")

I want my, I want my, I want my Jim Flah-er-ty

I want my, I want my, I want my John Bair-d

Got to move those Liberal talking points

Got to move those N-D-Ps

[Sammy]

Ditto to majority of comments above.I find QP,to be a Lib.mini-campaign opportunity,with witless Giggles fawning over the Lib panelists..and Oliver just needs to go to a nice rest home somewhere.And NOT that "sober second thot' rest home!

[Jim]

Craig Oliver is absolutely past his due date.
So is Lloyd Robertson.
So is Jane Taber, for that matter.

Can we please see some succession? Maybe some fresh perspectives from new faces? The longtime anchors at the big 3 American networks have all managed to pass the torch - why can't our Canadian networks?

Oh wait, that's right -- fear of change.

[Stan]

The media still doesn't get it that the Liberal Party Of Toronto is no longer in power.
To suggest that Jane Taber is in any way balanced is incredible. Most of her garbage would be sup par in a high school paper gossip column.
Craig Oliver is simply a joke.

[Jack]

The Liberal-friendly MSM is chock full of Liberal "comfort women" .. who pine for the return of their Liberal johns ...!!!

[Ray]

ok i'm so tired of these silly talking heads. anyway, the whole point of the story was that the government was complaining for what ctv decided to do. ctv is producing the show so they can put whomever they want, but the government er, opposition in government has the right to produce or not. that being said, ctv has the right to report what the government did because that's their job. the whole problem is the gov't doesn't want to engage in a substantial debate. they want to make it mudslinging like it is daily in the house of commons. ctv has the right to say no to that, and good for them. it's of no value to the canadian public. journalists have been complaining about the lack of decorum by politicians of late, and kudos to them for not promoting this bad behaviour. what's the big deal anyway, why wouldn't you have the environment minister debate evnvironmental policy.. makes sense to me! and some of you say that's what they do in question period.. well they don't. and they're busy.. too busy to update canadians on what they're doing with taxpayer money. that's an insult. i'm sure a lot more people watch ctv than they do cpac, so this is a prime opportunity for the government to show their stewardship. opportunity lost.

[Timwest]

CTV looked childish then whining that they could only get Jason Kenny from the CPC......then to put your foot in your mouth about the THE GOVERNMENT'S GREEN PLAN" which makes DION the PM.

Oliver and Tabors political bias is showing. The Liberals aren't the governemnt no matter how much you may wish it.

[Ron]

Wow - get over yourselves --- since when do you get to dictate who answers for the Government or for any particular political party? The MSM has become so Liberal they now have the identical "entitlement" culture --- A true journalist goes out and interviews to collect data, they don't sit around whining when the story won't come to them.

[cynical joe]

Good Luck to the CTV when they NEXT request a guest for their blabfest from the Government (they're the ones in blue, Craig). I guess they'll remain puzzled why Tories aren't falling over themselves to get on this show!

[tom desouza]

Uh,

uninformed Yank here. You have a Minister of Multiculturalism? That's so nice...

[Pat]

Here's Oliver in his dotage, making the major mistake about "to attack the government's green plan" and the group grope called the MSM completely misses it.

Pathetic

[Don]

Pathetic! Does Delacourt have even the slightest idea how bad this makes her and her profession look, I wonder?

[LizJ]

Looks like Giggles and Ollie are going off for the summer feeling bitter their Liberals are self destructing. Dion's Carbon Tax scheme will do them in.

Perhaps the CTV network could have those two air an apology for their supreme ignorant and arrogant comments. One would think they'd at least know who is in power and at least show some respect.

[Joe Molnar]

MSM journos 98% Liberal "lickspittle"!

[observer]

Good for Oliver, Taber, and CTV, and to Delacourt for reporting it here!

It's about time the news media started telling Canadians who might not otherwise know about the kind of control that Harper has been trying to impose on them.

BTW, is there a very similar theme to many of the postings criticizing the reporting of this story...

[hollinm]

Interesting CTV had no trouble allowing anyone and everyone from the Liberal party who wanted to talk about the Conservative faux scandals on their show rather than the shadow opposition member who is suppose to cover ethics.

First they boycott the PM's press conferences because he wants to control his own press conferences and have them conducted in an orderly fashion.

Now they want to dictate who speaks on the behalf of the government for any particular subject. Arrogance knows no bounds within the MSM of Canada.

Even if all Kenney did was trash talk the Liberal tax plan then all things being equal it would allow CTV to show that the Conservatives are these nasty, vicious bullies which is what they want to show so their beloved Liberals can get back into power.

[SomeGuyInOttawa]

If Taber, Oliver, Delacourt, and other liberal-loving "journalists" don't take the hint and pack it in, I suggest a return to first year journalism at Carleton University to re-acquaint themselves with some basics...

[WadeM]

I'm not interested in insulting Craig Oliver and Jane Taber. That's just too easy. I just hope that the people of Canada take note of this and realize that these political show's from both CBC and CTV are very much Liberal leaning and think that they can sway the Canadian publics view to what ever they think it should be. Wake up Canadians!! Think for yourselves! These people are not political experts. Just experts at manipulation..

[Catherine Wilkie]

Interesting comment re 'Question Period'. I did not catch that particular show.
It is about time that the media began to question tactics, in lieu of policy.
In my judgment, the Canadian media bought into this Harper Conservative strategy unabashedly from the start of the last federal election. There have been hints and guesses that particular journalists were beginning to question the lack of debate and discussion by Harper and accepted 'the script'.
Hopefully we have now developed a PMO filter and will judge the governments actions with a more critical eye.

[bluetech]

Thanks Susan for filling us in on the childish unprofessional behaviour of Taber and Oliver.Guess you didn't expect this reaction?
As far as mudslinging... these guys do enough of it without a member of the government in their 'presence'...BTW the CPC has formed the government, Oliver, not Dion.
Ray...if you want to know what the government is doing check the website. You cannot depend on Taber and company to tell you what's happenning. However, if you want them to tell you how to think...keep watching CTV.

[Gord Tulk]

And just prior to the scene above their 'balanced' panel that declared the hot and cold politicians for the week was Lawrence Martin - Chretien's biographer - and Jim Travers - torstar's most pro-liberal columnist (and that's saying something).

[Just Visiting]

If you were concerned that the comments here are a spontaneous outpouring of popular sentment, worry no more.

Readers should be aware that the comments that appear in this thread are the result of a campaign by partisan bloggers in support of the Harper government.

It's yet another organized campaign by the usual conservative clique who frequent the extreme right-wing "Small Dead Animals" web site.

Thank you for your attention.

- JV

[Geoff]

Holly Smokes Susan,I think you just got a pretty good snap shot on how much people care about the way the Government treats the Ottawa Press. It also seems to be a pretty good bell weather on how much the Liberal bias in the press is picked up by your company's customers and it seems they don't like it. Gee do you think that possibly that may be one big reason your paper and others are dying a slow death.

[Rich]

The pro-Liberal fawning is so blatant that the term "news" does not apply.

[Jay Awram]

Since we are telling the government of Canada who they must present for an interview, why not also tell them what they must say.
Oh.....
The state of Canadian journalism is pretty sad. it is not about debating issues, investigating stories but advocating positions already decided. That Delacourt sees nothing wrong, indeed backs Taber and Oliver is quite indicative.

[Fergey]

wow. looking at the comments one can see you guys are REALLY mobilized, but one could take you more seriously if your talking points differed a little bit more.

no one in Ottawa believes that CTV has not given the Harper government more than a fair shake. You trot out connections (real
or imagined) of Ottawa journalists while conveniently leaving out ones like the girlfriend of one ranking Tory Minister who has a senior position with on one the cable news networks, and another who was accused of being a Liberal shill while at the same time never mentioning her relationship with a Tory MP.

this is about ministerial accountability. I think CTV made the right decision but frankly was surprised that they did it...

[Jay Awram]

JV,
You mistake a blog post laughing at Delacourt for a campaign. No urging, no effort other than containg oneself from spitting our morning coffee on the keyboard.
If you are that concerned, organize bloggers from the extreme left wing blogs to back an obviously biased cause. It is telling that the radical left can't even rouse itself from its stupor to post an entry.

[Geoff]

Hang on a sec JV, Small Dead Animals just posted the link today, how do you explain the similar comments from yesterday. Oh it must be link provided by the "extreme right wing" site National Newswatch. If you have an alternative view to the comments by Tabor and Oliver or Ms. Delecourt posting about them then by all means have at it, instead of trying to label the people who are defending the government as "extreme right wingers" Name calling is the sign of someone who has lost the debate

[Cameron Andrews]

"comfort women"???

Are you kidding me?

I guess I shouldn't be surprised a Conservative went there, considering some of the things they have said about women in the past. Keep it boys (and I do mean boys) because you are keeping women away from your party in droves.

I see a really organized group here bombarding a website, and you can fundraise like anything... but what you can't seem to do is move your support from beyond your base. And this little campaign seems to indicate you won't be moving far from there.

Oh and by the way, having a Prime Minister use words like "screwed"? Well, from what I hear, your older, church going base wasn't too impressed with that.

[SomeGuyInOttawa]

I'm actually quite shocked that comments have not yet been disabled on this item - given the direction the comments are going. Good for you TheStar.com...

[chip]

This so-called conflict between the PMO and the media if of zero interest to the Canadian public. I'd even go so far to say that most of what the Canadian media produces is of zero interest to the public. The CBC is a farce, CTV as you just demonstrated is achingly juvenile, and the broadsheets are an echo of the above.

The Canadian media is an intellectually dull, dated yawnfest.

[Richard V]

I quit watching Question Period a long time ago. I found the hosts too uniformed and slanted and they attempt to push their own political bias. It was not very informative and simply a waste of my time. CTV could learn a lot from Fox about balance, quality of questions and depth.