Fife is a journalist. The world depends on journalists to bring them the truth, free of bias. Journalists are the single most important source of contemporary information on politics and the world.
Yet, do they keep the trust that is part and parcel of their position in society? Take for example the case of Robert Fife of CTV News who recently soiled the reputation of Canadian journalists when he called conservative MPs "knuckle-draggers" on live national television.
Now, if journalists hold political beliefs as Fife does ... so strong that they can't keep their mouths shut about those beliefs, even while “reporting” the news, then they have broken public trust. They can't be relied on to bring political news, free and uncluttered from bias, into the living rooms of millions of people. They have now become a propaganda organ of a specific line of thinking, and if that line of thinking happens to be the one holding power, then they become a branch of "state" propaganda. If there ideological "side" doesn't hold power, then they become complicit in trying to topple an elected government.
So, how free and open is democracy, when journalists can openly shill for one side and effect how millions think. It's called manipulation ... not freedom ... it's called failure of duty ... not openness ... it's called a dangerous manipulation of democracy ... not journalistic integrity.
It's clear, from Fife's incredibly bigoted statements, that he uses his privileged position of trust to push his world view. He is, therefore, no longer a journalist, but an opinion peddler. He needs to switch his job ... to say ... talk radio or opinion editorialist ... or how about blogger. He needs to go where the free market of ideas and free speech is active … not be in serious television news where the audience is more or less passive and trusts that uncluttered truth is coming their way.
Millions of Canadians elected the "knuckle-draggers". Fife has now placed himself squarely against them and insulted them. He has picked political sides and bashed elected officials in what can best be described as a demeaning and bigoted comment.
What if Fife had used "niggers", or "fags", or "Bolsheviks", or "commies", or "Muzzies", or "Turban-heads", or "wagon-burners", or "eco-Nazis", or "liberal crooks", when referring to elected members of the house ... would that be OK too?
Just prior to calling conservative MPs knuckle-draggers, Fife suggested that MP Tom Luwkiski’s apology wasn’t good enough … that the MP was old enough to know better … that he owed us all an explanation as to what made him change … and if he’d genuinely changed in the 16 years since the tape was made.
Well Bobby … now it’s your turn; or do you not have to abide by the same standards you set for others since your bigotry is fresh, contemporary, and hasn't had 16 years to mellow.
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