Scrum Wars: The Prime Ministers and the MediaThe image of the scrum -- a beleaguered politican surrounded by jockeying reporters -- is central to our perception of Ottawa. The modern scrum began with the arrival of television, but even in Sir John A. Macdonald's day, a century earlier, reporters in the parliamentary press gallery had waited outside the prime minister's office, pen in hand, hoping for a quote for the next edition. The scrum represents the test of wills, the contest of wits, and the battle for control that have characterized the relationship between Canadian prime ministers and journalists for more than 125 years. Scrum Wars chronicles this relationship. It is an anecdotal as well as analytical account, showing how earlier prime ministers like Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir Wilfrid Laurier were able to exercise control over what was written about their administrators, while more recent leaders like John Diefenbaker, Joe Clark, John Turner, and Brian Mulroney often found themselves at the mercy of intense media scrutiny and comment. |
From inside the book
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... became the editor of the new Conservative Party organ, the Morning Herald. On its board of directors was his close associate John Thompson. Not only did Griffin make the Herald a great success, but he established a reputation for ...
... became a part of Macdonald's political arsenal. This was certainly the case during the 1871 negotiations with the United States over the Washington Treaty, one of the most serious issues Macdonald faced in his first term in office ...
... became essential. He instructed Morris “to make arrangements with the friendly newspapers to hold back, if possible, any expression of opinion on the Treaty when it is promulgated, until the Globe commits itself against the Treaty.” The ...
... became a major player in the political life of the country by establishing what proved to be one of the foundations of a lasting Liberal Party. He also set the standards by which all other newspapers and journalists were judged. As a ...
... became prime minister upon Macdonald's departure. Historians have not treated Mackenzie as a figure of much consequence. The truth is that John A. was a hard act to follow, although the diligent and honest Mackenzie, a former stonemason ...
Contents
No League of Gentlemen 19141956 | 83 |
Illustrations | 104 |
The Unofficial Opposition 19571992 | 207 |
Notes | 365 |
Bibliography | 380 |
Index | 383 |