Gloating from the sidelines such as The Star did in this article sheds little insight, while pretending to be magnanimous and above the fray. We simply witnessed an insulting and mind-numbing “piling-on” from various corners of the media. In a country where the CRTC has forever dictated what Canadians should be exposed to, the disappearance of this network is an event which we should regret.
We depend on media to keep an eye on elements of our society we cannot control, while we go about our lives. We expect the major pillars of our fourth estate to provide us honest and unbiased reports, and while we enjoy opinions, we expect those who opine to stand on facts rather than fiction. Still, opinions are undoubtedly helpful to our decisions. We may disagree with the conclusions, but if we are to remain informed, it is our desire that media presentations be infused with some truth. If not the fourth estate, then who?
While everything may be “political,” we expect our media to keep us abreast of economic, political, and social events that affect our lives. We live in a society saturated with sources of stress. Whether they be our overwhelming personal debt burden, our increasing costs of living, difficulties with finding reasonably paying jobs, constantly increasing taxes, or unaffordable daycare for our young children, we are besieged.
Most of our media are part of the “safe” continuum which has influenced our consciousness, and escorted us to a place where we, in majority, seem not to question the biggest questions which direct and govern our society. The media informs many of our views and if we are fed views consistent with those we have formed, we tend to believe whatever information is in tow. Canadian media has assuaged our senses into accepting realities, which from any objective perspective should be finding us shouting for alternatives, or at least stimulating our thinking about our status quo. If we don’t seek it, we are fed nothing but pablum, because the media’s research indicates we want what we are comfortable with, and the vicious circle continues to lead down the path of least resistance.
Is there really a need for alternative perspectives? There is, particularly when almost the whole of the larger media outlets in existence are firmly left-leaning in the political spectrum.
Stating that Canada needs credible alternative media may appear axiomatic, however, when one views the printed and televised media landscape across this great Nation following the demise of Sun News Network, there is little to indicate that such acknowledgment exists. And yet, contrarian views are necessary even if they are wearisome and tiresome to maintain, or present.
Apparently some members of Sun News Network are launching an Internet presence under the banner, TheRebel.Media, and I wish them much success in their new endeavour, however, this will not fill the need for alternative voices to the powerful outlets such as the government owned CBC megaphone which taxpayers finance. We are in urgent need of credible and influential alternatives, whatever the format. There is a reason it’s called the “Fourth Estate.” We rely on it to inform many of our broader and/or parochial political decisions. We don’t want or need “King Makers,” but we do want to be kept widely informed and we want our would-be-kings to be challenged.
