Shine on, camera lights

Two press releases from the PMO, issued simultaneously to members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery this morning. One, from the weekend, at an event where the Prime Minister took no questions.  

PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER SPEAKS TO THE IMPORTANCE

OF CULTURAL MEDIA IN CANADIAN SOCIETY 

 

TORONTO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today highlighted the importance of cultural media in Canadian society at a training seminar organized by the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC) at Seneca College’s Markham Campus. 

“We believe strongly that freedom for Canadians goes hand-in-hand with journalistic freedom,” said the Prime Minister.  “Our liberty is strengthened when journalists are free to pursue truth, shine light into dark corners and assist the process of holding governments accountable.”

And then this one, for today:

 

 

PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER’S

 

PUBLIC EVENT

 

 

OTTAWA – Public event for Prime Minister Stephen Harper for Monday, November 23^rd is:

 

 

Ottawa, Ontario

 

2:15 p.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will participate in a photo opportunity.

 

Langevin Block

 

*Photo opportunity only (cameras and photographers only)

 

Comments

[Mike-D]

So don't go to the photo-op. In fact, go to the National Press Theatre and publish a photo of the empty chair where the PM would sit were he to hold an honest-to-gosh news conference. (Or the "X" on the floor where he would stand if he were being interviewed on CBC-TV's "The National", but I digress.)

You can bleat about it, again. Or you can start to say much more directly, "We're not going to take any more of this crap."

How hard can it be?

[Catherine]

'Lights. Camera. No questions.'

[Ken S from Ramara]

Harper's handlers knew PM's biggest liability is his mouth, so they keep telling him to keep it shut! These handlers know that in a room full to Reformatory faithful, the PM can say nothing wrong, but in front of an intelligent press corps, he's totally out of his realm and his mouth is a potential ticking time-bomb!

[John W.]

Well, in the US the reporters shout out questions anyway.

[Don Vue]

This won't help, but it's fun:
http://smackstephenharper.com/

[Patrick]

Why at 2:25pm, what could be going on then?

Oh yeah, questions about Afghan detainee torture.

Yup, photo op it is.

[MyThought]

You know, media shouldn't complain if they're not prepared to deal with it.

You're supposed to be the voice of the people, not the voice of chickens afraid of Harper.

[MCBellecourt]

@Don Vue: Thanks for that link. What a Hoot!!

If you haven't checked it out yet, google rickmercer.com and when the search page comes up, click on the "Photo Challenge". If you can Photoshop, you can participate. The archive is laugh-out-loud FUNNY!

Cheers!

[Tim from Alberta]

Intelligent press corps.Where are they.all that I ever read or hear on TV makes me think that this is definatly an oxymoron.
This could change if these individuals could ever pull their "political bias" out of their reports and just:"tell it like it is".......no matter which party it damaged.
Perhaps that is why the "small town"papers,out in the "political boonies" are more objective and believable,unlike the pack od self serving wolves in the parliamentary press gallery..

[MCBellecourt]

@Tim from Alberta: You don't suppose it might help the situation somewhat if Harper were more willing to take questions from the press? Ignatieff and Layton don't shy away from talking to reporters after Question Period. Is there a valid reason or is it because Harper is truly unable to think on his feet?