Less of a democracy and more of an Orwellian tyranny

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The Macleans.ca reader forums digest

 

COMPILED BY KARL LOW

 

COMMENT

LAST WEEK we asked:

Should Stephen Harper be able to control which press gallery reporters

can and cannot ask him questions at news conferences?

 

No 68% Yes 32%

 

Josh pointed out that restricting the press can be the dangerous start

of a slippery slope:

When any government, regardless of who they are, or which

'wing' they represent, starts to dictate who can ask which questions,

the situation becomes less of a democracy and more of an Orwellian tyranny.

If Stephen Harper dictates who can ask him questions during a press

conference, of course he will choose the reporters that agree with his

view. To give one person or party that much control over a situation

which is designed to inform the media, and therefore the public, will

remove all aspects of a free media and free access to public information.

-- Josh

 

However, 'I am Canadian' was more concerned about why the control was

needed in the first place:

 

I am wondering why Mr. Harper only wishes to answer certain questions.

Is he shaky on knowledge of some issues (not a good thing for a PM,) or

is he wishing to keep his opinions secret? One would question both of

these factors, especially in a democratic country like Canada.

-- I am Canadian