Doug Finley interview

Amazing to see how bad the media is at times for objectivity.  Of course, I've felt that way since the late 80's when the Star gave props to John Turner for his 'bold fight for Canada' against free trade - of course if Turner really was against it he would've made deals with the NDP to not run against them in certain ridings and for them not to run against him in others so they could've defeated the PC party.

Anyways, looking into media history you quickly learn that the 'Fox News' approach has always existed and always will. Namely media being shills for certain political parties and/or groups.  Some are good at being objective and putting their own opinions aside but sadly they are more of an exception than a rule. 

So, how to deal with it?  Work on getting your own shills is one approach.  The CPC blows a fortune on ads thus the media kisses up to them.  Thus if we spent more than the CPC we'd be likely to get the same treatment.  However, that is just not practical. 

Another, simplier, approach is to be sure to be friendly with the local media.  Get them to feel you are on their side and helping them by providing regular press releases (well written ones) that they can cut and paste to fill space.  Be polite when you meet them, never say negative things about them. 

Think of the media as the person at the counter of public opinion.  They have to deal with many, many groups trying to get at that public opinion but are proud of their role as the gatekeeper.  Their egos are fed by it.  So feed those egos in any way you (practically) can.  Let them know that you know they are vital to you, and treat them as if they hold the key to keeping you alive another day as, in the political sense, they really do.  My local paper skewered a counciller during the last local elections and he was the only one to lose his seat.  Meanwhile they praise our mayor left right and center and he is a lock for another 80%+ victory (assuming anyone runs against him - the last person to was torn to pieces in every edition of the paper leading to the election). 

The media can be your best friend or your worst enemy.  Be careful about how you approach them.