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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... noted, consideration among gallery members “for men's private faults and foibles.”14 No, Griffin knew that his job was to present the Conservatives' perspective, to lambaste the Grits at every opportunity, and to portray his leader in ...
... noted that Dufferin had spoken “the purest ancient Greek without mispronouncing a word.” “Good Heavens,” said Langevin to Macdonald, “how did the reporter know that?” “I told him,” replied Sir John. “But you don't know Greek!” exclaimed ...
... noted. “However, you as a newspaper man know more about this kind of thing than I do.”4 In fact, Macdonald knew a great deal more about newspapers than he was willing to admit. By 1871 he had been the Dominion's prime minister for four ...
... noted how the associauon had promoted Catholic bloc voting in exchange for favours. As it turned out, O'Donohoe was actually upset because he was passed over by Macdonald for a much-coveted cabinet post. To the outraged Mail, however ...
... noted in an 1897 letter to Charles Fitzpatrick, the Liberal minister of justice, “[Willison] is quite willing to serve the party, but it must be in his own way. In fact, he is drifting as steadily as a man can to a position of perfect ...
Contents
No League of Gentlemen 19141956 | 83 |
Illustrations | 104 |
The Unofficial Opposition 19571992 | 207 |
Notes | 365 |
Bibliography | 380 |
Index | 383 |