An insider's rage at how the once-independent media of Canada are falling under the unholy control of one sinister family, the Israel and David Asper's.

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Toronto, Janury 15, 2002

 

Bitten by the Aspers

The latest victim in drive to ensure identical editorials in all Southam papers is -- me!

By PETER WORTHINGTON
Toronto Sun

Want to know who is the latest journalistic casualty in the Aspers' apparent vendetta to bring all their Southam papers to line with identical editorials on national affairs and no criticism? Me.

No, I'm not exactly an Asper employee, but for the last few years my column has run in the Windsor Star, a Southam paper now owned by CanWest and the Asper family.

Orders came from Asper's command central in Winnipeg that I was to be dropped immediately as a columnist -- not for anything I've written in the Star, but for what I've written in the Sun newspapers.

It seems to me that escalates the Aspers' aversion to dissent or debate to a new level. Out of deference to Windsor Star sensitivities, I had deliberately refrained from comment on the Aspers' curious dictum that editorials on national affairs be written from Winnipeg, or cleared by Winnipeg. I didn't want to put editors on the spot.

Every newspaper and journalist I know disagrees with this policy. But the Aspers aren't news people and brook no argument. Their way, or no way -- even if criticism appears in another paper, as my case indicates.

Where will it end?

David Asper, point man for the family, equates criticism in Southam papers with disloyalty. To them, debate or diversity is unhealthy and intolerable, therefore editorials dictated from command headquarters in Winnipeg should run in all Southam papers.

In other words -- only one, identical view on national affairs is available to Southam readers, in the guise of being open and accountable. This dictum has caused alarm throughout the Southam chain.

When Montreal Gazette staff wrote a dissenting letter to the Globe and Mail, David Asper suggested it was "part of the ongoing pathetic politics of the Canadian left." He felt those who signed should "quit and have the courage of their convictions."

"Private, personal pulpits"

The head of journalism at King's College, Stephen Kimber, who'd written freelance columns for the Halifax Daily News for some 15 years, did resign after a critical column of his was spiked. He'd suggested the Aspers saw their newspapers as "promotion vehicles for their television network" and as "private, personal pulpits from which to express their views."

Now, the Regina Leader-Post and Saskatoon Star Phoenix, both Southam papers, have spiked a column by aboriginal Doug Cuthand which sympathized with the Palestinians' loss of land.

The Aspers maintain they aren't trying to curtail freedom of expression, and their mandatory editorials are simply an "addition to the voices within the marketplace of ideas." They're "intended ... to stimulate thought and discussion" -- which they've certainly done in spades.

Young Mr. Asper thinks newsrooms are infested with leftwing zealots -- something that's crossed my mind at times, as a hazard of the business. I guess the Aspers now view me in that category.

In mid-December, David Asper's speech in Oakville took a swipe at me because I don't think much of mandatory editorials for all papers. Instead, I've suggested the Aspers hire editors who are philosophically attuned to their outlook, and trust their judgment. Asper's reaction to this proposal was to wonder if I was "a front man for Quebecor" or the "kind of puppet" the Aspers should hire as Southam editors.

It reflects a curious mental process in David Asper. I think my "firing" from the Windsor Star for what I think and not what I've written in that paper, really is a form of censorship.

Hurts journalism

I doubt the Aspers dumped me because I think Yasser Arafat is at heart a terrorist and there's no hope for Middle East peace until he's eliminated.

Nor do I think I was bounced because I think Saddam Hussein is more dangerous to peace and security than Osama bin Laden.

Nor was I likely terminated because I think the capital gains tax restricts growth and should be drastically cut or eliminated.

Nor because I think our policy regarding illegal immigrants and fake refugees is nuts.

No, I suspect I've been bounced from the Windsor Star simply and only because I think the Aspers' mandatory editorial policy damages their own reputations, hurts journalism in general, cheats the public of divergent views and undermines Canada.

But the Aspers don't seem to care. And that's the pity.

What it does mean is that a newspaper like the Sun is even more important, where different points of view get exposure, and the proprietor doesn't seek to control thought.

Who'll be next in this journalistic bloodletting?

Letters to the editor should be sent to [email protected].