More on the CRTC and SunTV

[mijopo]

As  a followup to my post a couple of weeks ago about the CRTC and SunTV, I thought I'd post some follow up. It seems the proposed rule change was rejected and, of more interest to me, consider how Robert Kennedy Jr. has (misre)presented the story.

It's pretty incredible how wrong he gets it, especially the part about how loving and serene and

Comments

[suitablyemoname]

Political dialogue in Canada is marked by civility, modesty, honesty, collegiality, and idealism that have pretty much disappeared on the U.S. airwaves

I think this statement is fundamentally sound.

Simply put, Canadian politicians don't yell at each other--outside of the legislature. If you watch a Sunday news show, they might have political guests, and it might get heated, but the most they'll do is disagree with each other. No namecalling, no shouting, no hysterics, and certainly no active punditry from the hosts. We don't have American-style news commentators (at least not in mainstream media--talk radio is a whole other kettle of fish), we don't have ideological news or stations (with, again, the notable exception of talk radio), and on the whole, our political discourse is substantially more subdued and civilized than that of the United States.

I mean, our top political program in the country across all media? That'd be CBC's at-issue panel, which consists of a pollster and two journalists politely disagreeing with each other. It's miles away from anything that goes on in the states.

[mijopo]

well, there was that awesome clip from when Harper dissolved Parliament back in '08 and a heckler shouts at Harper, "What are you afraid of, Sir". Jon Stewart played it and said, "'Sir'??? you're heckling him, it's not a job interview"

(http://rackjite.com/archives/2440-Jon-Stewart-on-Canadian-Prime-Minister-Stephen-Harper-shutting-down-Parliment.html)

but, I don't know, Canadians may not have Glenn Beck or Rush, I blame that on cable TV more than anything else, but I've always found things like Question period in Canada to be remarkably uncivil and juvenile and embarrassing, that's what I was referring to. Then, again, given that members of Congress are often speaking to an empty Chamber, maybe the comparison isn't fair.

[suitablyemoname]

Then, again, given that members of Congress are often speaking to an empty Chamber, maybe the comparison isn't fair.

I would think so, yes.

Canada's legislature is no more raucous than most other Westminster systems. We're about on par with the UK, and we have nothing on Australia (where swearing and threats are allowed), let alone somewhere like Singapore.

[sourdick]

(psst, Canadians cannot view the embedded videos)

[mijopo]

Hmm, maybe it's available here: http://unrepentantoldhippie.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/daily-show-does-harper/

(I keep getting a "We are experiencing temporary difficulties downloading your lineup. Please wait another few seconds and try again if you're still having problems." but maybe because I'm not in Canada.)

[sourdick]

James Cross would probably disagree with you.

[mijopo]

touché

[agawa_jean]

I agree with you, for the most part this is true. There may be the odd exception, but overall our political media is not nearly as heated or hyperbolic as that in the US.