View from the Cordillera

A Commentary on Achieving Excellence in Local Government
Read by Municipal Leaders on 4 Continents
Published by the Cordillera Institute (Vol. 4, Issue 25)

The Major Media: Is the 4th Estate Acting as a 5th Column?

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Summary of This Commentary
Whenever we want to know what's going on in our community, our region, our state, our province, our country, or the world, we are likely to pick up a newspaper or newsmagazine, turn on the radio, or watch a television newscast or public-affairs program.  For many, the major media -- the broadcast networks, the newspaper syndicates, the wire services, and the newsmagazine publishers -- are still the primary source of news.  That should be a major concern for a host of reasons.  For those of us pursuing excellence in local government, the major media can be a major obstacle.  What role are the major media playing?  They have become active participants in shaping public opinion.  And, much of public opinion which they are trying to shape involves public-policy questions which, directly or indirectly, affect local government.  In this issue, we examine examples of environmental coverage, amalgamation coverage, taxation coverage, and infrastructure coverage.  Their coverage of these subjects raises some serious questions.  Chief among them -- why would they do what they are doing?  Once you've 'seen behind the curtain', the 'news' will never be the same.

As always, we welcome your comments.

David Barber
Director
Cordillera Institute
(416) 293-9300
CordInst@istar.ca
http://pages.istar.ca/~cordinst/

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Each week, View from the Cordillera covers some aspect of excellence in local government.  It may examine one of the success elements; it may present a case study; it may introduce a resource (an individual, a group, a publication, etc.) which is advancing excellence; it may advocate a new direction for local government; or it may identify a wrong turn in public policy and offer an appropriate remedy.  This electronic publication is being sent to those who govern, manage, support, and sustain our municipalities.  For more information, just click on the About VFC button below.

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