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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... close. Press and politics cannot live without each other, but they must also keep their distance if the public's interest is to be safeguarded.”6 Fair enough. But in their quest to expose the truth, many journalists believe it their ...
... close associate John Thompson. Not only did Griffin make the Herald a great success, but he established a reputation for himself as a highly partisan, harsh, and on occasion downright wicked writer.2 In all other respects Griffin was a ...
... close touch with most of the Conservative newspaper publishers in the Dominion, both large and small. He advised them what lines to take on policy, stroked their egos, and sometimes assured them that needed patronage was forthcoming. No ...
... close associate, supporter, and friend, Alexander Mackenzie, 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 ...
... close ties with the editorial writers, most notably Martin Griffin (formerly of the Halifax Herald), who joined the Mail in 1881, ensured that his views were considered and followed. Indeed, during the election of 1878 and after ...
Contents
No League of Gentlemen 19141956 | 83 |
Illustrations | 104 |
The Unofficial Opposition 19571992 | 207 |
Notes | 365 |
Bibliography | 380 |
Index | 383 |