I just cleaned out some followers from my Facebook and Twitter accounts. We are close to a federal election in Canada and the 'noise' on two of my favouite social media websites is too much. It's like the worst of talk radio constantly playing. One side playing gotcha, then the other, then a third, fourth and fifth. Rarely do these comments have anything to do with policy or ideas. It's usually petty, shrill and full of vitriol. All sides using fear, all sides chiding. Turn it off.
Recently I watched the Nixon - Kennedy debate of 1960 on another of my favourite websites, YouTube. It was fascinating. What was striking was the civility. The media questions were thoughtful and well researched. The answers from both candidates were excellent. Kennedy was smooth and well rehearsed but not as much of an actor or a television natural as later accounts suggested. He did have great hair, even in black and white. Nixon was a bit awkward but also well-expressed and not nearly as outclassed as I thought he would be. In fairness, our recent debate was quite enjoyable and for that I give credit to the format and to Steve Paikin, one of the best journalists in Canada.
Yes, sorry to any of those who are offended that I no longer follow you. I think Twitter and Facebook are excellent vehicles for the exchange of ideas. But it would be nice if the discourse was elevated. We are lucky to live in London, Ontario where three quality people represent the three main parties. It would be easy to vote for any of them, regardless of the party affiliations. It's not that they aren't critical of each other, but it's easy to see that all three are intelligent and put their hearts in their work. We should follow their lead when we head into the social media world.
Friday 22 April 2011
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Green Better Off
While the Green Party of Canada fights "justice denied", they shouldn't fight too hard.
The recent court decision to deny leader Elizabeth May a spot at the debate table could be turned into the best thing for the party.
It seems many Canadians are fed up with politics as its being conducted in Ottawa. Why does Elizabeth May want to be at that table of discontent?
"Just like the rest," they would say. She sounded a lot like the rest of the leaders when she got a chance to join the debate before the last election. A lot of yelling is what I remember.
What Elizabeth May needs to do is distance herself from business as usual politics. Use the evening of the debate to do something creative like a town hall critique of all of the other party leaders. Use a live internet feed and promote it heavily. The mainstream media would do that if the Green Party approached it right.
The courts did Elizabeth May a favour. The Green Party needs an elected MP. They won't get that by joining a crowd that many Canadians seem ready to reject with an all-time low voter turnout.
The Greens should also use the debate denial to appeal to the youth constituency, where their momentum seems to have stalled. May finished a close second in a London, Ontario bye election in a riding heavily populated by students.
W.C. Fields said he'd never join any club that would have him as a member. A solid philosophy for Elizabeth May and the Green Party right now.
The recent court decision to deny leader Elizabeth May a spot at the debate table could be turned into the best thing for the party.
It seems many Canadians are fed up with politics as its being conducted in Ottawa. Why does Elizabeth May want to be at that table of discontent?
"Just like the rest," they would say. She sounded a lot like the rest of the leaders when she got a chance to join the debate before the last election. A lot of yelling is what I remember.
What Elizabeth May needs to do is distance herself from business as usual politics. Use the evening of the debate to do something creative like a town hall critique of all of the other party leaders. Use a live internet feed and promote it heavily. The mainstream media would do that if the Green Party approached it right.
The courts did Elizabeth May a favour. The Green Party needs an elected MP. They won't get that by joining a crowd that many Canadians seem ready to reject with an all-time low voter turnout.
The Greens should also use the debate denial to appeal to the youth constituency, where their momentum seems to have stalled. May finished a close second in a London, Ontario bye election in a riding heavily populated by students.
W.C. Fields said he'd never join any club that would have him as a member. A solid philosophy for Elizabeth May and the Green Party right now.
Friday 1 April 2011
Scott Metcalfe on the Fanshawe College Wall of Fame
Scott Metcalfe is the News Director of 680 News in Toronto. Scott is the newest member of the Fanshawe College School of Contemporary Media Wall of Fame. He'll be so honoured on April 16th at the London Convention Centre.
Scott is a great choice for this honour. Despite running the single largest radio newsroom in the country, he has always had time to mentor students and give advice to educators. While talking to Scott at various conventions, he'll ask about student prospects and I'm happy to oblige. As I describe the student, Scott will tap away at the ever-present Blackberry and a record is kept. This is not a token gesture but a genuine interest in the future.
He is calm. He is measured and thoughtful about covering news. I trust that all issues are fairly dealt with in his newsroom. And what a job that must be. 680 News, that unstoppable force and journalism's hungriest monster, is one of the highest billing radio stations in Canada. The pressure must be enormous, but Scott has the perfect personality to handle it. He's also helped set up the news 'wheel' in other Rogers radio stations.
Congratulations Scott. Well deserved.
Scott is a great choice for this honour. Despite running the single largest radio newsroom in the country, he has always had time to mentor students and give advice to educators. While talking to Scott at various conventions, he'll ask about student prospects and I'm happy to oblige. As I describe the student, Scott will tap away at the ever-present Blackberry and a record is kept. This is not a token gesture but a genuine interest in the future.
He is calm. He is measured and thoughtful about covering news. I trust that all issues are fairly dealt with in his newsroom. And what a job that must be. 680 News, that unstoppable force and journalism's hungriest monster, is one of the highest billing radio stations in Canada. The pressure must be enormous, but Scott has the perfect personality to handle it. He's also helped set up the news 'wheel' in other Rogers radio stations.
Congratulations Scott. Well deserved.
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