If you think Winston Smith is shy and retiring, try Geoff Meeker who in his most recent posting laces into the coverage of Eastern Health in comparison to other coverage.
However, reporters took the premier’s controversial comments and rushed them to air and print without question. Perhaps it’s easier to take a juicy quote like “they should be shot” and run with it, rather than challenge – and provoke – the premier.
If I had been a reporter at that scrum, I would have guffawed right in his face. I would have said, “But premier, your government also issues sensitive news releases late on a Friday afternoon. It seems to be a common tactic for certain issues.”
Of course, the premier would deny. And I would offer to come back with specific examples. But the deed would be done – the premier’s balloon would be deflated – with cameras rolling and microphones recording.*
Yes, this would piss the premier off. I would likely be placed on some kind of blacklist. But I would still be able to attend scrums, and that’s pretty much all you need these days – one-on-one access to the premier happens infrequently anyway.
DH h/t Update: As one commenter noted, Friday news releases are featured in a West Wing episode called “Take out the trash day”.
As Josh explained it to Donna:
Donna: What's take out the trash day?
Josh: Friday.
Donna: I mean, what is it?
Josh: Any stories we have to give the press that we're not wild about, we give all in a lump on Friday.
Donna: Why do you do it in a lump?
Josh: Instead of one at a time?
Donna: I'd think you'd want to spread them out.
Josh: They've got X column inches to fill, right? They're going to fill them no matter what.
Donna: Yes.
Josh: So if we give them one story, that story's X column inches.
Donna: And if we give them five stories ...
Josh: They're a fifth the size.
Donna: Why do you do it on Friday?
Josh: Because no one reads the paper on Saturday.
Donna: You guys are real populists, aren't you?
-srbp-
