Kay: The CBC’s appalling smear on Sarah Palin *********
Posted on 04 September 2008 by Jack
A few weeks ago, I wrote a column arguing that readers will miss the mainstream media when we’re gone. Oh sure, bloggers have a lot of spicy opinions. But when it comes to investigating important stories, they don’t hold a candle to big, deep-pocketed, old-fashioned newspaper writers and broadcast media outlets.
Imagine my embarrassment, then, when it turned out this week that the flagship newscast on the biggest, deep-pocketeddest, old-fashionedest Canadian media outlet of them all — the taxpayer-funded CBC — got suckered into reporting a story that the blogosphere chewed up, debunked, and spit out two days earlier.
The story revolves around Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who on Friday was announced as John McCain’s pick for VP candidate. Almost immediately, a weird rumor took flight: that Palin’s fifth child, 4-month-old baby Trig, was actually born to her 17-year-old daughter Bristol. According to sources swirling feverishly around left-wing clearinghouse Daily Kos, Sarah had fraudulently claimed maternity of the child while Bristol was removed from school under a phony excuse involving mononucleosis.
Many conservatives were concerned. A Michigan-based political-junkie friend of mine — a tireless Web surfer who acts as a sort of human RSS feeder for his friends — sent out a worried email on Friday night declaring: “I think that the accusation … is credible enough to require evidence — more than just words — in reply.”
But then the rumor fell apart. Photos surfaced of Sarah, clearly pregnant, going about her Gubernatorial duties in early 2008. It was also established that Bristol is five months pregnant right now — making the rumor a biological impossibility. “I shouldn’t have dignified this with an email,” my friend reported late on Sunday night. “At this point, I would say that [the Republicans] should let the rumors build up to a fever pitch before they squash them, to maximize the embarrassment.”
Except for a few British outlets, no mainstream media reported on the rumor — even before it had been debunked. The Daily Kos itself shut up about the subject from Monday onwards.
But then, on Tuesday night — two full days after the rumor was killed — CBC’s The National went live with it.
Update: Daley: Sarah Palin gets the spiteful Margaret Thatcher treatment
Update: (Video) Sarah Palin’s Convention Speech
Update: Roundup of Reactions to Palin Speech
Update: Giuliani rips into ‘weak’ Obama
Update: Giuliani speech (video in sidebar)…
Update: Sarah Palin scores huge viewership at RNC
Update: Conservatives hyped over Palin
Note: This is huge. Sarah has turned this election on it’s ear and since other politico’s seats are also at risk because they are up for re-election people like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi had best look to their guns. This does not bode well for them. Not at all.
Further Note: 8:55 pm and I’m gone. I just love Sarah to pieces and I guess that’s obvious.
Goodnight.
Popularity: 34% [?]
September 4th, 2008 at 8:34 am
CBC determined it was important to shape Canadian’s attitudes towards Palin. You don’t go to that trouble if you don’t consider it a very real possibility that she will sit in the office of VPOTUS.
Smarter would have been to downplay her as a nobody, as inconsequential.
It’s breathtaking to observe manifestations of stupidity such as this one erupt simultaneously across an entire industry.
I do hope Harper wins a majority, and takes the CBC apart brick, by brick. Do you hear that CBC? A significant number of Canadians wants you gone. You won’t be missed.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:41 am
This fall with Republicans in Washington and Conservatives in Ottawa honest hard working right thinking citizens of both nations just might begin to look towards their futures with renewed optimism. Oh, and being the generous people we are we’ll even invite liberals (those that haven’t already drank anti-freeze) to join us.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:06 am
I watched CBC national new that evening in disbelief and wondered if CBC could get any lower. Mr. McDonald reported innuendo and rumours.The message was to slam all women, married or single who had welcomed an unplanned pregnancy.I have volunteered over the years and the message we gave to women was choice. It is up to you to make a decision on your pregnancy. We will support you fully if you want to continue with your pregnancy and here is the information if cicumstances dictate otherwise. The choice is yours! The message from CBC is too mock and degrade women who find themselves in the position of an unplanned pregnancy. All women should stand up and hold CBC accountable to the verbal abuse we were subjected to. The old boys club of the CBC has crossed the line!!!
September 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Then it’s up to the Canadian taxpayers and voters to determine if they’re getting value for their taxdollars and make old boys, old news. Sarah Palin sure is….and those old boys have their shorts in a twist. Looks good on them.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
And once again, we try to appear shocked that CBC-Pravda is attacking a political system or a politician that is not Communist/Socialist.
They are the enemy of Conservatives globally. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck…it’s a duck!!
Angry Brew
September 4th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Nothing new here put out by the CBC. A single cell amoeba has more intelligence than that lot. Like the Senate, the CBC and most other socialist entities should be - GONE! In addition, like one observer expressed, hopefully this self-rightious lot will be taken apart. Do you suppose many of them will be able to find a real job? Perhaps with Al-Jazerra but that would be pushing the envelope.
ARJAY.
September 4th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
The thing that I find amazing is that the level of trust and high regard for their fellow man is so high among Conservatives, that lack of brains or incompetence is thought to be the driving force behind the CBC’s attacks and smears on Conservatives globally.
These occurances are not accidental, nor are they the result of incompetence. Once or twice, maybe. This many times…it’s deliberate.
Militant Brew
September 4th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
ombudsman@cbc.ca
Vince Carlin
Ombudsman
CBC
I just e-mailed Vince Carlin, take 5-10 minutes and e-mail
him with your concerns about CBC !!
If I ever get a reply I will post it.
September 4th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Good plan to email Vince Carlin. One of my readers said he did the same.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Sent a complaint to Vince one time RE: Krista Ericson feeding questions to the libs to ask Brian Mulroney. Received a reply, and then they shipped her off to purgatory in TO. Now she is back and believes she has been “exonerate”. Vince is a stick handler all right and sweeps things under the carpet.
Like spraying for dandelions - eventually, they slowly reappear again.
I digress.
ARJAY.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I’ve sent one off too. Will keep ya’ posted.
Pat
September 4th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I know it seems pointless to e-mailed Vince Carlin……….
But my car pool buddy e-mailed him on CBC only posting left wing
views !
Vince e-mailed back and a CBC lady e-mailed back that was not
their intention, they had some tech. problem. (roll eyes)
So he at least received a reply.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Joy Melvin, the CeeBeeCee reporter at the Republican Convention, just informed viewers at Mike Duffy live (with the fussy old womanish Graham something? standing in for Duffy) that the Democrats have raised 10 million dollars since Governor Palin was put on the ticket.
Funny I read something about the Republicans raising some $$$…I wonder why the Demos were fund raising at the Republican convention…just shows me that the magic man O can do anything ..in the CeeBee land of O.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
If you check Drudge you will find that Obama is also piling in funds since Sarah’s speech. Sounds like certain people are running scared.
“Fire.Them.All.”
September 4th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
From: CBC Ombudsman [mailto:Ombudsman@CBC.CA]
Sent: 2008 September 04 3:30 PM
To: Timwest
Cc: Bob Campbell; Esther Enkin; John Cruickshank; Mark Harrison
Subject: Re: What is Wrong with CBC
Dear Mr. Timwest (used my real Name)
I write to acknowledge receipt of your e-mail, which I have shared with Mark Harrison, acting Executive Producer of The National, along with the request that your concerns be addressed.
Yours truly,
Vince Carlin
CBC Ombudsman
—————————————————–
Will see If I get a Reply from CBC, at least Vince e-mailed
4 CBC guys !!
September 4th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Here’s the response that I’ve received so far.
Dear Pat Patrick:
I write to acknowledge receipt of your e-mail, which I have shared with Mark Harrison, acting Executive Producer of The National, along with the request that your concerns be addressed.
Yours truly,
Vince Carlin
CBC Ombudsman
>>
Time after time, the smears mount up and it’s either an accident, ignorance or incompetence. After this many deliberate smears of Conservatives globally, it now looks like an approved plan of action for the CBC, a tax payer funded entity.
I don’t know how many warnings the CBC gets before it gets dismantled because of the Left Wing bias that just can’t be controlled.
Once again, please do something about this most recent smear of Sarah Palin. It was an internet smear that even the vile Daily Kos withdrew from and two days later CBC-Pravda prints the same smear.
Very poor Vince, very poor.
Regards,
Pat Patrick
Powell River, BC.
604-485-2339
September 4th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
As was alluded to tonight on FOX, that since last Friday the American public has finally begun to awaken to the fact that the media is attempting to elect their next President. It is reported that indications are that an deep public anger is growing quickly. The vicious peronal attacks on Govenor Pallin and her family have finally woken a slumbering public up to what the MSM is up to. Will the MSM’s anti-Conservative bias and undisguised cheerleading for the Liberals to form the next government of this country finally be recognized by the public in Canada? Will the Canadian MSM’s goal to elect the our next government be their eventual undoing? Will the Canadian public rise up and finally say enough is enough? One can only hope. Go CBC go!
September 4th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
The CBC? But they get their “US News” from the moderate Huffington Post; even have them on as THE unbiased source for “expert” and “objective” and “fair” and “balanced” comment. Personally I watch (yell-at) the CTV’s news. I recall the word I used that night was DISGUSTING.
Check out what Joel has to say, http://proudtobecanadian.ca/ I think he doen’t quite understand the CBC’s unbiased professionalism. Or maybe he does.
“Looks like Obama’s li’l convention “bounce” has fallen with a Palinicious thud.”
September 5th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Can anyone please tell me if this makes sense to you?
Letter from CBC in the National Post:
As bracing as it may be to receive a lecture on news judgement by op-ed editor Jonathan Kay, we’ll have to reject his accusation that we smeared anyone. First, it should be noted that CBC didn’t report anything on this subject until the Republican Party itself threw the doors wide open on Monday, announcing Bristol Palin’s pregnancy of five months.
Further, the party stressed that it was making the announcement in order to rebut Internet rumours that had been swirling around the birth last April of Governor Sarah Palin’s baby son, Trig. Having been invited to examine the controversy, CBC and several other media organizations did just that. CBC’s Washington correspondent, Neil Macdonald, cited several facts provided by Ms. Palin herself to media in her own state. The stories about the pregnancies were justified and accurate.
In other words, solid, contextualized, fact-based reporting, which is quite a different thing from Mr. Kay’s facile, after-the-fact sniping from the comfortable sanctuary of the Post’s op-ed page.
Jeff Keay, media relations, CBC, Toronto.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Reply from Jeff Keay, media relations, CBC Toronto.
Actually, he should be one of the first to be let go!
Cue the rest of the “infidels” and Ditto with them.
ARJAY.
September 7th, 2008 at 1:31 am
This ended up in my inbox from Mother Corp
Dear Pat Patrick:
Thank you for your e-mail of September 4 addressed to Vince Carlin, CBC Ombudsman. As you know, Mr. Carlin asked me to reply.
Although you did not say so specifically, I expect you wrote to draw our attention to a report from the Republican Party convention on the September 2 editions of THE NATIONAL. It was a “smear of Sarah Palin,” you wrote, suggesting it was the result of “Left Wing bias.”
I can assure you immediately that that is not the case. The report by CBC News Washington correspondent Neil Macdonald concerned allegations that Sarah Palin, the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate, had not given birth to 4-month-old baby Trig, but was actually his grandmother. Political conventions are fueled by rumours, but this one particularly was characterized by largely Internet driven stories and allegations concerning Ms. Palin and her family. They swirled though the convention. Some proved to be true, others not.
Reporters are our eyes and ears bringing us information about events that we have not witnessed ourselves. And in this case, any accurate reflection of the events in St. Paul, Minnesota, would have to include the predominance of the rumours about Ms. Palin, their significance and their real and potential impact on the campaign. Mr. Macdonald’s report included the rumours – clearly identified as such – and, quite properly, placed them in the context of the larger issue around Ms. Palin’s selection as a candidate.
However, I should point out that THE NATIONAL did not report anything on this subject until Republican Party spokesmen publicly addressed the stories (including acknowledging her daughter Bristol Palin’s pregnancy) in an effort to rebut rumours that were threatening to dominate media coverage of the convention. Given that prominence, it would be difficult and irresponsible to ignore them. (I see that a National Post columnist wrote in reference to the report that by the time of the broadcast some Internet bloggers had decided that the “grandmother” rumours were not true. That may be the case, although others seemed less certain. But at that point, the rumours had grown so far beyond the Internet, the party believed they warranted a public response.
However, the report inadvertently included one inaccuracy. Based on information provided by the Alaska Independence Party, it said Ms. Palin had once been a party member. In fact, it was Ms. Palin’s husband who had been a member of the party that advocated Alaska’s secession from the United States. When we realized the report had included inaccurate information, we clarified it at the earliest opportunity – the end of Mr. Macdonald’s report from the convention the next night. We regret the error.
Thank you again for your e-mail. I hope my reply has reassured you of the integrity of CBC News and THE NATIONAL.
It is also my responsibility to inform you that if you are not satisfied with this response, you may wish to submit the matter for review by the CBC Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman, an independent and impartial body reporting directly to the President, is responsible for evaluating program compliance with the CBC’s journalistic policies. The Ombudsman may be reached by mail at the address shown below, or by fax at (416) 205-2825, or by e-mail at ombudsman@cbc.ca
Sincerely,
Mark Harrison
Executive Producer (Acting)
THE NATIONAL
Box 500, Station “A”,
Toronto, Ontario
M5W 1E6
cc. Vince Carlin, CBC Ombudsman
September 18th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
No women has the right to kill babies.. NO-One..Under any curcumtance.. That is not good practice and is murder.. just like partial birth abortions