Tim Goddard Criticizes Harper at Funeral

[FlamesAddiction]

Seems like he doesn't agree with the privacy policy regarding keeping the media out of the repatriation ceremonies for Canadian soldiers.

"I find it troubling the privacy decision means keeping the press outside the wire where the bad guys are," said Tim Goddard. "I would like to think Nic died to protect our freedoms, not restrict them."

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/natio...d-funeral.html


Continuation of an older thread:
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ht=Afghanistan

[calculoso]

There was a sound byte from Harper earlier with him sounding confused.

Apparently there was miscommunication. If the parents wanted the Media involved, they could have been. "He's going to look into it"

I don't agree with the wishy-washy policy. If most parents allow the media and a few don't, these few look like the bad guys... anti-media, etc.

Not a good situation all the way around.

[Azure]

I really don't know what to say. One way it is good to let the media cover the event as we need to be reminded daily what freedom costs, but on the other hand some media people will take the event and turn it into a political issue, when really it isn't the soldiers fault what is happening.

[sadora]

Originally Posted by calculoso

There was a sound byte from Harper earlier with him sounding confused.

Apparently there was miscommunication. If the parents wanted the Media involved, they could have been. "He's going to look into it"

I don't agree with the wishy-washy policy. If most parents allow the media and a few don't, these few look like the bad guys... anti-media, etc.

Not a good situation all the way around.

The decision must ultimately lie with the families. It's their loss and pain. Both the government and the media should respect whatever decisions the families make whether they be for or against.

[Clarkey]

I think the deal is that Harper doesn't want the media there when they fly the casket in. He says that it is the family's prerogative as to whether they want to allow the media into the funeral.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

I think the deal is that Harper doesn't want the media there when they fly the casket in. He says that it is the family's prerogative as to whether they want to allow the media into the funeral.

That's exactly what the Goddard family was criticizing.

It's always been the choice of the families whether or not they wanted a public or private funeral. Tim Goddard however, doesn't like the idea that the media is banned from the repatriation ceremonies.

According to Harper, the familiy should have been consulted on that matter. I don't know if that it true or just a damage control statement, but it does mean at the very least, that by default, the media is banned unless otherwise instructed. That is what Tim Goddard was criticizing.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Azure

I really don't know what to say. One way it is good to let the media cover the event as we need to be reminded daily what freedom costs, but on the other hand some media people will take the event and turn it into a political issue, when really it isn't the soldiers fault what is happening.

But up to this point there were previous deaths and the media hadn't turned any of those ceremonies into a political issue. It didn't become an issue until this policy was enforced.

If Harper had "Let sleeping dogs lie" this would be a non-issue.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

But up to this point there were previous deaths and the media hadn't turned any of those ceremonies into a political issue. It didn't become an issue until this policy was enforced.

If Harper had "Let sleeping dogs lie" this would be a non-issue.

Its obvious the media has a problem with Harper, especially with his recent decission to not let them ask any question they want.

The media should report the news, not BE the news. That way things like this wouldn't happen. When a dead soldier comes home from Aghanistan, the media should not be using his/her death to bring up the issue of why we went to war, why Canada is involved and so on. Simply appreciate the sacrifice and be done with it.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Azure

The media should report the news, not BE the news. That way things like this wouldn't happen.

So how is the media supposed to report on a media ban?

I think parents voicing their displeasure at this policy qualifies it as news.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

So how is the media supposed to report on a media ban?

I think parents voicing their displeasure at this policy qualifies it as news.

I have no problems with the "parents" critcising Harper for his decision. My problem is when the media blows up just because they don't have exclusive rights to a portion of time, that by rights should be private.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Azure

I have no problems with the "parents" critcising Harper for his decision. My problem is when the media blows up just because they don't have exclusive rights to a portion of time, that by rights should be private.

Who are you to make that determination?

Look at the quote in the OP. I think that person has the right:

"I find it troubling the privacy decision means keeping the press outside the wire where the bad guys are," said Tim Goddard. "I would like to think Nic died to protect our freedoms, not restrict them."

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Who are you to make that determination?

Look at the quote in the OP. I think that person has the right:

Who am I? Someone who also has family members stationed in Iraq, and someone who certainly wouldn't want the media anywhere near them should one of them die and come home.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Azure

Who am I? Someone who also has family members stationed in Iraq, and someone who certainly wouldn't want the media anywhere near them should one of them die and come home.

Well he's someone who is living through the issue.

Before the edict, I had never heard anything disparaging regarding any press coverage of the repatriation ceremonies. If there had been a problen, I could see decision. As it is, it is heavy handed and unwarranted.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Azure

Its obvious the media has a problem with Harper, especially with his recent decission to not let them ask any question they want.

I'm admittedly somewhat removed from Canadian politics at the moment... but shouldn't media be allowed to "ask any question they want"? To me, that's the essence of freedom of the press.

The way I see it, this should be between media and the families involved. After that it becomes a question of taste and what kind of coverage the public demands. I really don't see how the government can be any kind of a neutral broker in a case like this.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Well he's someone who is living through the issue.

Before the edict, I had never heard anything disparaging regarding any press coverage of the repatriation ceremonies. If there had been a problen, I could see decision. As it is, it is heavy handed and unwarranted.

Not the point. Harper is allowing the families some time alone, when the body first comes off the plane. Wouldn't you call that being civil?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

I'm admittedly somewhat removed from Canadian politics at the moment... but shouldn't media be allowed to "ask any question they want"? To me, that's the essence of freedom of the press.

The way I see it, this should be between media and the families involved. After that it becomes a question of taste and what kind of coverage the public demands. I really don't see how the government can be any kind of a neutral broker in a case like this.

We all know how one-sided the media can be, and Harper has decided to fight them. Until the press can make up their mind to be neutral about things and report the news as the normal man would see it, Harper has everyright to kick them out.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Azure

We all know how one-sided the media can be, and Harper has decided to fight them. Until the press can make up their mind to be neutral about things and report the news as the normal man would see it, Harper has everyright to kick them out.

Maybe the Liberals should have done that for the last 2 years that they were in power. Heck, they might still be in power if they did...

Maybe Harper is on to something!!

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by Azure

Until the press can make up their mind to be neutral about things and report the news as the normal man would see it, Harper has everyright to kick them out.

Neutrality isn't the issue. Harper wants to control what Canadians hear. That includes not hearing criticism of his parties policies, and not hearing from senior members of his government except in a carefully controlled environment. Doesn't he trust his own party members enough to speak to the National media?

I guess I'm not as comfortable as you with leaving the decision of who can ask questions and what questions can be asked to one man. Simply put, Harper is trying to control the news media and what news Canadians hear.

Freedom of the press? Apparently not in Canada.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Azure

We all know how one-sided the media can be, and Harper has decided to fight them. Until the press can make up their mind to be neutral about things and report the news as the normal man would see it, Harper has everyright to kick them out.

Personally, I'm not much of a believer in the so-called one-sidedness of the media. All I know is that people both on the left and the right tend to complain about media bias, but if anything the mainstream media tends to play to its audience, not shape it as some would suggest. Let's put it this way: it's been some time since left wing interests controlled the media--and whether the right wing interests that undoubtedly DO own and operate the major media outlets have much of an impact on content is a matter of some debate.

Either way, if Harper wants to fight the media, he should do it in public, like a man. If he thinks the media's coverage of something is inappropriate, then he should criticize it publicly, not attempt to exert control over it. That's not the place of government in a democracy.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

Neutrality isn't the issue. Harper wants to control what Canadians hear. That includes not hearing criticism of his parties policies, and not hearing from senior members of his government except in a carefully controlled environment. Doesn't he trust his own party members enough to speak to the National media?

I guess I'm not as comfortable as you with leaving the decision of who can ask questions and what questions can be asked to one man. Simply put, Harper is trying to control the news media and what news Canadians hear.

Freedom of the press? Apparently not in Canada.

Especially not with a government controlled national TV station, eh?