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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... judgement on passing events 'till the latest moment, and then he records it in obscure or conventional language. john Thadeus Delane, editor, The Times (London), 0. 1860 CONTENTS Preface: The Battle of the Scrum ix Acknowledgments xiv.
... editor of the Toronto Globe in the 1890s, observed that Canadian reporters “seem to feel that if the blow is not struck with a club, it will be taken for a caress.”4 Television, with its emphasis on confrontation and dramatic moments ...
... editor of the Winnipeg Free Press for more than forty years, after listing the many li1nitations of journalism argued that the journalist, nevertheless, “must go forward with a sort of reckless courage; and unless he is to fail, he must ...
... editor Judith Tumbull was patient, enthusiastic, and great to work with. Her keen eye and fine editing skills have contributed much to the final product. The work of Christine Lumley and Matt Williams, as inputters and proofreaders, was ...
... 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 himself as a ...
Contents
No League of Gentlemen 19141956 | 83 |
Illustrations | 104 |
The Unofficial Opposition 19571992 | 207 |
Notes | 365 |
Bibliography | 380 |
Index | 383 |