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Home : Top Stories : No plans to pursue government media centre: PMO

No plans to pursue government media centre: PMO

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MDL: Tonda MacCharles of the Toronto Star

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Mon. Oct. 15 2007 6:56 PM ET

The Prime Minister's Office has no plans to build a government-controlled briefing room, which would supplant the current National Press Theatre.

A news report on Monday said a plan, with an estimated cost of $2 million, has been in the works since at least last year.

The Privy Council Office and the PMO have been working on the "special project for the PM, otherwise reffered (sic) as the Shoe Store Project," said the documents obtained by the Toronto Star under the Access to Information Act.

But Sandra Buckler, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's director of communications, told The Canadian Press "there are no plans to pursue'' such a centre.

Officials were to have renovated an old shoe store, located near the PMO and PCO in Langevin Block, "for the possible use of the PM."

The "dedicated press availability facility" is part of plans to "put in place robust physical and information security measures to protect the Prime Minister and Cabinet," stated one document obtained by the newspaper.

A spokeswoman from the Privy Council Office told CP that the exploratory project had been abandoned at an "early stage." She added that there are no other locations being scouted for a media facility.

The Toronto Star's Tonda MacCharles, who first reported the story said she requested the documents about a year ago and received them late Thursday night.

"There was nothing in there that indicated that the project was not going to go ahead and ... today the Prime Minister's Office is saying they're not pursuing it," MacCharles told CTV Newsnet's Mike Duffy Live.

The National Press Theatre is operated by members of the parliamentary press gallery, meaning the prime minister has no control over who is asking questions.

Until an impromptu press conference earlier this month, Harper had never used the theatre since being elected 20 months ago.

Harper has had a sometimes frosty relationship with the national press corps, stemming from his staff's tight control over news conferences and lack of accessibility to MPs and cabinet ministers.

One of the documents obtained by the Star shows staff established a working list for what would have been put in the Shoe Store Project, including "a stage or riser; comfortable seating for 40-80 people, security at the back and front door, electronic feeds for sound, sound boards, simultaneous translation space, phone-in capacity, proper lighting for cameras (may require drapes for windows), tables for handouts, products, etc., glasses, water, flags, backdrop, photocopier, full work station/internet hook-up, printer (large-capacity) in the back for officials to use, washroom facilities."

A hand-drawn sketch of the facility also showed a space for "maybe permanently installed cameras with feeds to media."

That suggested that the news cameras may have been controlled by government employees instead of independent media journalists, reports the Star.

Many details of the project were blacked-out or withheld because of "international affairs and defence," "security," and cabinet confidentiality.

Comments are now closed for this story

Dayton
said

Here's a case of the National media doing it to itself. Ask too many stupid questions and now you will get your answer.


JPF
said

Why is this government so afraid of the press??? This constant avoidance of the press and attempts to control who can ask questions of the PM when he chooses to allow it, only makes it seem like Harper actually does have something to hide... instead of just seeming like a liberal scare tactic. The Liberals may have started this issue for Harper, but he certainly isn't doing anything to put the image to rest. Also words like "Government controlled" and "media" in the same sentence are never good. Maybe we should keep Harper away from Putin

Tim
said

Le Dictator aka Harper is a control freak. What a waste of our money.


boomer
said

How PRESIDENTIAL of him!!!!!!!!!!


LD
said

I think it's a great idea - modernizing the press room and increasing security are important.


Mau
said

Excessive, wasteful use of our taxpayers dollar. Mr. Harpers paranoia is getting out of control.


Greg
said

I firmly believe, on reading this, that this prime minister must go. For all the mistakes of his predecessors of any party, this initiative takes the cake. We might have lived through the sponsorship scandal; will Canada make it through the Imperial Parliament? Not if Stephen Harper has any say in the matter because that say is final, and perfection on wheels!


Les
said

If I were surrounded by a pack of papparazi trying to trap me in my words and misrepresent my policies, I'd do the same thing. It's just good leadership. The press will of course whine about it, because they always want to be the ones in charge, rather than being concerned about what's best for the country.


DD
said

This is UNACCEPTABLE!!!

If this doesn't raise eyebrows across the country, I don't know what will. Why does the PM need to "control" who asks the questions? It has never been necessary before. Why now???? What is Harper afraid of???

One has to wonder what other things "Canada's New Government" is secretly working on.



T-roy
said

What’s next? Will he build a new parliament building and ban the opposition so he can have his unfettered mandate? Wasteful and shameful.

Kevin Flack
said

Why do we need to be spending another $2M for this government-controlled briefing room?

The press gallery has always been sufficient enough for every other PM. The reason why this one wasn't was because as soon as Harper got elected, he wanted to be able to control which person asked what questions, and wanted to know what questions would be asked before they were even said.

I think that money could go to a lot better use...maybe even one of the plans he's proposing!


Smith
said

Number one rule in any democracy is the freedom of the press. You can not and stress the importance of this! The government can not be allowed to control the media if we do there we may as well join the great communist regime like Cuba where the all media is controlled by government.

David (concerned in Quebec)
said

Anyone who still thinks this PM is not a control freak and wanna be dictator better take a closer look. Control the media and you control what the people hear and see. This is a form of censorship. Mr.harper will respect your opinion as long as it is the same as his.

Bill
said

Mr Harper believes the media is his enemy, any way he can control the content they provide he will go for.

I suspect Mr. Harper would be quite content with a Minister for Public Enlightenment & Propaganda.



George
said

Just wait until the neocons get their desired majority. Our heads will be spinning.
The Canada we have known will disappear.
Harper has learned well from his buddy Bush. "Tell them it is for security and you can do anything."



David in Exeter
said

OK - first of all I am a Harper fan - was even days before he was elected - great track record. Secondly - in no time in history have I (or thus possibly anyone else) ever agreed with 100% of what our leaders decide - and I am no exception. I do not like the sound of this new media facility - it yells "state run" all over it and fear this one move is going to do unrecoverable damage to the PM in the upcoming election should the oppostition parties run with it. Although its intentions may seem like a justifiable idea the cliche "perception becomes reality" in this case will obviously appear to the general public that the PM is attempting to control media (and understandably since it is so slanted after years of Liberal massaging and greasing). This move did surprise me - but I am not surprised much - not because of the PM's decision but rather because we live in a socialistic country (those that think we live in a free democracy are fooling themselves) - it's been socialistic since Trudeau and has never reverted. Sheep don't think for themselves, they just follow. If anyone from the PMO is reading this - take note that this issue is not going to go away - it will become an election nightmare - and will get spun to something it is not - again, perception becomes reality. Alike John Tory's single issue of faith based funding for schools - this issue of the media center, should the opposition run with it, is going to be a possible "foot shooting" issue like Tory's. Come clean, communicate what it is all about instead of allowing the media to break the news and spin it in their slant.


Tom
said

What a wonderful move, President Harper.

Now we just need to elect a decent Prime Minister.


DownEast
said

Your choice of the phrase "government controlled" is indicative of the lack of context and impartiality percipitating the "frosty relationship" referenced in your article. The plight of the parlimentary press gallery is a media generated issue of little significance.


Mike
said

This confirms that Harper indeed wants to be a dictator. The slow changing of our political society into one that emphasizes "control" and lessens the importance of "freedom" is a society that is to be feared. If Canadians do not react harshly towards this, then, in my opinion, we really have no hope left. Time to leave Canada?


Gary B
said

It is interesting to read some of the comments. A government run media centre involves all our Canadian media sources. It is a plum assignment for their best political reporters. All we lose are the immature, the incompetent, and the sensationalists.


Linda Doran
said

Nothing wrong with a government controlling its briefing room. I think it's a wise plan.


JB
said

What if nobody came to the PM's press briefings?


Rick
said

If people truely believe Harper is afraid of the press, they haven't been paying attention.
The Press Gallery is a privately controled institution subsidized by public money.
If you want to talk about freedom of the press you should be aware that the the Press Gallery can deem any news service unworthy of membership. Why a bunch of elitists in the media have this kind of control over a publicly funded institution is beyond shameful. I for one was getting tire of seeing the same 5 or 6 journalists asking question every time there was a press conference.

Dennis LeDrew
said

Now watch the whining about Harper's "hidden agenda" as it goes nowhere, as if there were no much more important issues in this country that require attention.

If I had my message and policies constantly distorted constantly by a Liberal loving PPG and MSM, I would do the same and expect no less.


Peter
said

Ah come on people, Pierre Elliott Trudeau had the same kind of tactic with the media. He is often quoted to have been the best PM ever. Jean Chretien had somewhat the same attitude and reservations about free for all press access.


Dave
said

Perhaps with such an innovation we will now be presented with an opportunity to be updated without the skewing and left-leaning medai bias this country has robotically come to accept!


Jamie
said

Good. We need to keep a lid on the media. I make a ton of money from this government, and it seems that the media is always trying to stick their nose in our business, then rant about how we are supposedly a secret patron of the Harper Saint.

Terry Flanagan
said

I'm sure all the party toadies and PM flacks will be on here today telling us why government controlled media is a good thing. No real Canadian will be fooled by this Stalinist tactic...


Louise
said

Yes, the National Media has done it to itself, but trying to control the media will only cause more grief with PMO. Censoring the press is worse than telling them everything. What they don't, they will start rumours about. There's also the point that the government trying to keep information from the public. This could be a case of the government thinking it knows what's best for the public. Not the way to go, if transparency is your goal. The question that will be repeated over and over is "What do PMO and the PM have to hide from the voting public." Voting public being the key words here.


Paul
said

Parochial, partisan, petty, poppy-cutting ignoramuses that they often are. I personally couldn't care less under what tent most journalists hold their circus.


Phil
said

The disdain and mistrust shown for the media is paralleled only by politicians. If we have to pick one or the other, when is the last time that one reporter controlled a country of 30 million or made us look bad on a global stage?

I'd rather have (allegedly) misbehaving media than a theocratic dictatorship.


Anne
said

This continuing control of what the "press" is permitted to ask and report on concerns me. A tad dictatorial in flavour. That $2M would have been put to better use in improving affordable, decent daycare for middle class parents in this country.


Thomas
said

Just because Stephen Harper is afraid to face the Press Corps, why should taxpayers have to foot the bill?

I seriously doubt that the Press was being any more problematic for him than they were for Paul Martin or Jean Chretien.


Roch
said

This is excellent idea, since for too many years the media has had far too much control over what they decide the Government's message is.

Media tend to take one sound bite out of context, and provide misleading senational headlines to sell papers.

I would much rather hear what our elected officials actual point of view is, not a manipulated media out take.



shannon
said

We cannot be so naive to believe that what we hear in the press is not in some way prejudicial. Everything we read and hear on the news has been filtered and edited to fit the time allotted. It is often shamefully obvious that the reports are biased according to the reporters personal opinions. The press has given Stephen Harper a bad rap from the beginning, saying that he is trying to hide something just because he doesn't give them the daily sound bites that they want him to. Perhaps if the media had a better reputation of being transparent and giving complete information, the government would not be forced to try another method of getting their complete and unedited message across.


MJM
said

So what if he is a control freak - from just a few of the blurbs from Chretien's bio appears that he is also a control freak and a petty one at that - but Chretien is being touted as an insightful, strong leader - what gives? Personally I think that there are far too many media people out there - trying desperately to fill the 24 hour news channels when there is not really enough real news out there - so they go after 'news' that means nothing.


Torian
said

A free media is a cornerstone of our democracy. Apparently Mr. Harper doesn't like that little fact. So what does that show about his commitment to Canada? Apparently he wants you to believe every word he says without media doing any background research or questioning the message. This is quite scary. We are only allowed to here what the CPC has to say because according to them the other 62% of Canadians who voted otherwise aren't able to make up their own minds.


Brian M
said

The new briefing room will be great for speeches that might be important to Canadians, even historical occasions. It will give us a much more professional look, and the journalists in the room will know not to treat a press conference like a comedy show, and keep This Hour Has 22 Minutes from making our PM look like a fool at every chance it gets haha. PM Harper knows what he's doing!


Ralph Copp
said

Oh my, how the conspiracy theorists are panicking.

The media is still allowed to publish WHATEVER THEY WANT.

Providing a venue so our Government can announce policy is a wonderful idea, if people wish to actually hear what our Government has to say, as compared to what the media wants us to hear.


John
said

I would hope this would kick the media out of the House of Commons and give it back to the people. The media may like the "scrums" but visitors to the House of Commons feel more like a second class citizen due to the media occupation of the building.


Billy Bob
said

Good move PM!! The media broke down Mulroney, but they won't do it to Steve. This is a better way to get answers from international quiality leaders than the rushed mob of a scrum. The press needs to stop whining and learn to practice actual journalism.


Canadian
said

I have never heard of anything so disturbing from a political party. This is nothing short of state funded propganda, kinda like what communist and terror run states have.

The banality of this party is absolutely astounding. Even more astounding is that some people are actually supporting this? Truly, baffling.

Perhaps, renaming the title of this PM should be changed to Emperor, King, Dictator, or Imperial Majesty.

This is truly not a policy which is reflective of a party or its supporters that clearly are not aware or even have the most basic understanding of democratic rights and principles.

State sponsored media, yet another embarassment from this regime.

It is little wonder that they can only muster 35% support despite a beaten and nearly destroyed Liberal party.


Donald
said

Everybody take a valium. To equate this to some imperial ambitions is absolutely outrageous. Sounds like one of many minor gov't infrastructure projects that are directed by the bureaucracy every day of the week.


Lyle
said

I expect bias on the part of the media when they don't get their way. They can't seem to get their stories straight half the time so I don't blame Prime Minister Harper for taking extra caution when speaking to the press. The media doesn't care what damage they do to someone's reputation whether it's deserved or not, so long as it makes a good story.


Dave
said

Do any of you CONservatives need any further proof that your leader is a dictator? This is a CONTROL move, and it fits right in with the way he runs his own caucus. Giving this control freak a majority would be absolutely disasterous.


david
said

What a sick, revolting idea that puts democracy in Canada back a couple of hundred years. Who will ever believe a word coming from the PM's office? Trash this character as soon as possible.


Someone who sees the REAL Harper
said

This is a blatant move by the PM to control the minds of Canadians by only allowing us to see what HE wants us to see, and to have the media ask only the questions HE wants asked so he can completely control perception. This is what he calls an "accountable" government? Think about it - why would a transparent and accountable government need to control perceptions? They wouldn't! Only a coniving rogue with a hidden agenda would need to set up a media room such as this. It's really a shame that Canada would rather baaa and graze in the Conservative fields rather than open their eyes and realize what Harper is trying to do here.


Craig
said

Judging from the fallacies and propaganda spouted from the left on this comment page, it's obvious that the government's message doesn't properly get out. If this center is what it takes to get the true message out, then I'm all for it.

I mean, come on people. This proves that Harper is a dictator? The left continues to just throw out that term whenever they do not agree with something Mr. Harper does. That is an insult to everyone that actually lives under a dictatorship. No where in the article does it state that the government will control the media. No one is going to tell the press what to print (which is what happens under an ACTUAL dictatorship).

All this new building does, is give an out for the PM when he doesn't want to answer any more questions. It puts the control back in the hands on the PMO which makes sense, since they are the leaders of the country.


Randall
said

The National Press Gallery quacks allowed their conceit to become so inflated,they believed they were the stars of the show. The silence of the last 20 months has not been noticed by the average Canadian.


Yoyoma
said

Increased security is a must for our governing members. Bravo Harper. As far as the press' concern over the built in cameras with feeds being "government controlled", you need to get a life. It's a press room, you're sitting there and there's one dude controling the camera angles. No need to panic, really!


David
said

Harper talks about accountability, making the government more transparent, and yet he it is quite clear that his administration is tightening its grip on access to information. On can they be accountable if we can't find out what they are doing?


Nancy Ellen Nafziger
said

Harper campaigned on having accountability in government. How does even stricter media control fit into that scenario? If anything, it is further proof that Harper is fixated on control!


Erika Filson
said

I'm sorry, but this is completely unacceptable. The PM avoids the press like they're all infected with the plague and now he's controlling exactly which member of the press are allowed the "privilege" of questioning him in a press conference? This is well beyond censorship and "security", this is tyranny! If he keeps up like this there is no possible way things will be well for all Canadians.


FP
said

For years I have listened, read and watched the press question our government leaders. Never have I seen what was really said printed in truth from the press. Even Jean Chretien's newly released book will back PM Harper on this point. In today's world, protection of leaders is also a must.


Wes in Victoria
said

Don't you find it ironic that we are arguing this point as represented by the press? The wording in parts of this story demonstrate an ever so slight slant in the media's favour. When it comes to the speculative portions of the story such as, "The new facility COULD impose even stricter measures, giving the PMO control over who may enter and POSSIBLY what gets filmed and broadcast.", or, "That suggests that the news cameras COULD be controlled by government employees instead of independent media journalists.." doesn't it seem like the writer of this story is assuming the worst instead of just conveying the facts as a journalist should and letting the public make up their own mind? I think this story is a perfect example of the need for this "no spin zone". We all know they are going to take the information and run back to their liars and spin it however they want anyway so why not at least give the government and any future government the forum to at least get their message out without the peanut gallery taking their pot shots. There's always time for that later. Btw, I am a liberal and have been since I could vote, so this is in no way based on support of this government, just an observation.


Ottawa Guy
said

If the "LIBERAL" controlled media would stop attacking the Conservatives and stop supporting the Liberals, maybe Harper would not have to do this. For many years now, the media has shown a "HUGE SUPPORT" for anything or anyone not Conservative. What ever happened to non-biased reporting?


Trish
said

I agree Security is important but this is a total waste of Taxpayer money. I think it boils down to "Mr. Harper" just wanting complete control of the media.


Shane
said

This is why people need to remember who this man really is and what kind of country he wants to live in.

Stephen Harper does NOT want to live in the Canada we, and the rest of the world have come to love. He wants America-Lite; a tougher, meaner Canada with far fewer social freedoms.

You can bet that if he had a majority, the wolf under the current sheep's clothing would show itself.


Jodi G
said

I think this is absolutely ridiculous. As a Canadian citizen, I for one DO NOT agree to my tax dollars being spent on anything such as this! The restrictions placed on the media, MPs, etc are bad enough now! The PM and his government must go!


Ray
said

I would rather have a government that can speak freely and have the media ask the necessary questions so that we can all have an INFORMED DECISION. Why is Stephen Harper's gov't wanting to control what we hear? Can we say Canada's version of CNN and Fox? I think it's a bad move and anyone thinking of supporting this government better think twice because if this happens any mistakes that this government will do, you won't hear about it until it's WAY TOO LATE!


Dan
said

It's about time. The news media in this country is so useless, it's pathetic. So biased and inaccurate it's not worth listening to. I haven't bought a newpaper in about 6 years and when I do pick one up I remember why I gave it up. Hurray for the internet.


Al Wood
said

I think all of you have missed the point.
Our world has changed. The days of the Prime Minister being able to be publically available are virtually over. Canada's Parliament has had one credible terrorist threat against it and the sitting members we, the public, know about. I suspect the security folks know of other threats they are not releasing publically.
The National Press Theater in all likelihood has been assessed by the security people charged with protecting our Prime Minister and other government members and found wanting. The best solution would be to create a dedicated, securable venue for high value targets like the Prime Minister.
To read into this some dark conspiracy to control the media is really, quite frankly, farfetched.



M. Nugent
said

"Government-controlled Briefing Room" geared to effectively control what information is dispensed to the public? It is what it is: A form of censorship barring freedom of the press. Very "Presidential" indeed!

This is just another step in Harper's "rule by expedience," blatantly exposing his disgust of the media and his need to provide only a well-rehearsed narrow view (the government's) to the general public.

I hope the next generation of highschool and college students are horrified at this crass attempt to indoctrinate or propagandize them into the "following mentality" rather than "critical analysis."

Harper's despising of the Opposition Parties in our Parliamentary Democracy is also part and parcel of his need to control. This is another example of how the view of our next generation can be distorted when our Prime Minister, of all things, demeans and discredits the credibility of the Opposition: the dreadful series of TV attack ads shown across Canada discrediting the Leader of Parliament's Official Opposition, is an example.

To democratically get through its legislation, the government (especially when it's a Minority) must acknowledge the importance of the Opposition by permitting a juncture for dialogue, respecting the Opposition's right to critique, probe, and inspect the government's integrity and clarity of purpose in its legislation.

To arrive at a consensus on major topics (Afghanistan is a prime example), Harper's minority government must be willing to set a conciliatory tone in Parliament. Bucking the rights of the Opposition is NOT democratic.



Greg from Kitchener
said

I remember when a reporter asked Harper before the Election in 2006 if he loved Canada.
Well the look on Harpers face and the stupidity of the media and there liberal questions, no wonder Harper is doing this, and saying a waste of taxpayers money... seems liberal voters are picking on anything they can about Harper, very say to be a liberal today.
As arrogant as liberals are, they still think they are right.


Christine
said

Add my name to the list of those who believe this is completely unacceptable. The media should boycott this new government controlled media centre:
they should refuse to attend any press conferences and should also refuse to print or broadcast any government issued "news" disseminated from it.


Chuck
said

The media has brought this on themselves. They have developed an air of arrogants and "don't touch me" attitude. They get carried away with sticking a mike in the faces of people without the the respect of decency. Controllling the media needs to go further and lay some laws down as to what they can and can't do and start prosecuting offenders.


Michael Le Couteur
said

Im"press"ive. So now we have to be spoon fed even more. Good to see the right wing blog trolls out in fine form trying to make this look like a good thing. Handpicked panels to give out the gov't postition. If it wasn't so frightening you might confuse this with a bad joke. I can just see the headlines now. More reason to dump the likes of CBC,CTV,CNN,MSNBC,CBS and any other, if not done so already, for their main news feed. This just in.... The moon is made of green cheese. It's true because the panel and gov't said so. Don't be sheep.


david
said

Many years ago, an older gentleman told me that if you are one of the people who fill the country's coffers, you are probably a conservative. If you are one of the people who take from the coffers, you probably aren't. After reading the comments associated witht this article, I see the old guy is still correct.


Marty
said

I for one cannot blame the PM for this I blame the media. Whereever he goes they always talk about what he's wearing or how he looks. As one example of the media was in the Ontario election, throughout the election all they wanted to talk about was the faith based schools in which I barely heard anything else on the other important issues. Even when they talked about the faith based schools, I never got the real facts about that issue.The only thing I got was Dalton Miginty bashing John Tory on the school issue. Only after the election did I hear about the facts which made sense. Because I only heard about the school issue, I did not vote. Now if I could vote knowing what I know now, I would of voted for the Tories and I think a lot of people who were against the faith based schools like I was would have thought differently about it if they could have gotten the real facts. Often the Media does not know how to do their job.



J.C.
said

Bias media has lead to this and it is about time. They have become so arrogant, that they are not there to get their story straight but get publicity on themselves to get promoted and the heck with the truth. The three major news agencies in Canada need a complete shake up and many fired, then we can trust the media again.


Amber
said

I think anyone should be allowed to ask their Prime Minister a question and he should answer accordingly. Why does he feel the need to control who asks questions and which questions they are? It makes me wonder what questions and what people he is trying to avoid.


Wayne
said

Very dangerous. If I had a choice to do without: a government or a newspaper, I would select the government. Freedoms including that of the press, are something we must protect. Sure, the media asks a lot of questions, including annoying questions, but that is to preserve our freedoms.

George
said

If you don't like what the media has to say... change the channel or read a different newspaper.
If you want to hear what the government has to say... watch the Commons on TV.
If you want the scripted responses to prearranged questions... stay tuned for NeoCon News!
Most likely sponsor... Johnson's Wax. They'll slide one past you, every chance they get.
Most unlikely sponsor... CocaCola. Somehow, "The Real Thing," doesn't fit.


Mikie
said

WOW, 2M bucks for an "Ignore Centre."


Matthew Parsons
said

Good idea by Harper. I have read many stories, and as a Afghanistan vet I have followed the media coverage about the war with great interest. You all complain about Harper controlling the media, way to go. But when the media goes back to being impartial maybe it will go back to the old press room. The media coverage of the war has been pathetic for the most part, and there are too many opinions and not enough facts.

Christopher Hay
said

Since nationalizing the media to a State run enterprise wouldn't be acceptable, wouldn't it just be cheaper to provide Fox Noise (Canada) with a direct feed into the PMO? this smacks of an arrogance and control driven agenda that belittles what freedom is supposed to be about!


gemi
said

Maybe if the talking heads and print writers did their own research and wrote/talk about their own findings, Harper might want to talk to the press in order to apply more spin. As long as MSM caters to Harper nothing is going to change.


Jason
said

Sounds like a lot of speculation to me. They are drawing conclusions based on incomplete information and framing it to portray the story that is most sensational. I'll wait until more is known before passing judgement.


Sandi
said

The only part that really concerns me is this:

"A hand-drawn sketch of the facility also shows a space for "maybe permanently installed cameras with feeds to media."

That suggests that the news cameras could be controlled by government employees instead of independent media journalists, reports the Star."

It's not clear whether other, independently-owned news cameras would be allowed in as well.

If so, fine.

If not, then I have a problem.


Allan Eizinas
said

“No plans to pursue government media centre: PMO”

Great decision since now it has been exposed as yet another “hidden agenda”.



Flanstein
said

I see that conservative toady's are flooding this board with messages about what a splendid idea to control information, and this is the "media's own fault"

Everyone else sees this for the putinesque gambit that it is.

What's next? Arresting opposition leaders?


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I applaud the budget, even though Health Care and education may stay unscathed. Sadly this cannot last and I worry to later this year where cuts will become enviable. If anything, this provides the Wildrose Alliance plenty of ammo when an election is called.

J Stad

Alberta going for broke with record $4.7B budget deficit

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