Monday, February 14, 2011

CTV News gets caught again.

CTV News has once again been caught selectively cherry picking comments. The second time in little over 3 weeks.

The first happened late last month when CTV was caught selectively editing out the first half of a sentence where Michael Ignatieff had commented on US Secretary of Defense 'Gates', and second occurred yesterday when CTV was caught doing something similar. Only this time it was done to the comments of PM Harper but unlike the Ignatieff example, it wasn't done to make the PM look better.

In fact I would say it was a deliberate attempt at the opposite.


Brian Lilley has the details here.

The highlights:

CRAIG OLIVER: Raw street power for 18 days. Despite police intervention,
assault from Mubarak thugs, the cut-off of internet and cell phone
service, and a non-violent army standing by, the peaceful protestors
would not back down. Twice Mubarak went on television promising reforms.
But you the surging crowd would not believe him and continued to demand
his resignation. The president finally fled the city on Friday. The army
announced it would lead a national council and move the country toward
democracy. US President Barack Obama eloquently praised the outcome. 

BARACK OBAMA: The people of Egyptian have spoken, their
voices have been heard, and Egypt will never be the same.

OLIVER: And here is what Prime Minister Stephen Harper had to say.    ( NOTE: Craig compares what Obama said AFTER Mubarak left to what the PM said BEFORE Mubarak left.)

STEPHEN HARPER: I think the old expression is
they’re not going to put the toothpaste back in the tube on this one.


Here is what PM Harper actually said: (and remember this was BEFORE  Mubarak stepped down)

Well, first of all, you know, let me just be clear, as I’ve been clear every time I’ve answered this question, that the future of Egypt is for Egyptians to decide. What I think we all want to see and what I think is clear most of the people of Egypt want to see is a transition to a democratic Egypt. We want to see free and fair elections. We want to see the rule of law and stability. We want to see respect for human rights, including the rights of minorities, including the rights of religious minorities, and we want to see a government that will continue to respect peace treaties and seek peace in the Middle East. As I say, we are all seeing what’s happening. A transition is taking place in Egypt. That transition, in my judgment, there is no going back. I think the old expression, “They’re not going to put the toothpaste back in the tube on this one.” Our, you know, our strong recommendations to those in power would be to lead change: get in front of it, be a part of it, and make a bright future happen for the people of Egypt.


A textbook example of misleading news don't you think? 




Video:  Updated with PM Harper's entire remarks. Thanks Gabby!







BC Blue's thoughts.

Blue Like You.

14 comments:

The_Iceman said...

Hows about CTV doing a "show behind the Burka" piece saying that Canadians don't have to show ID at the polls. I worked for Elections Canada in 2008, and we required ID from everybody, face mask or otherwise. But hey, it was Sunday, not as much oversight.

CanadianSense said...

CTV political pundits are trying to lift the left or at least make them appear credible.

Manufacturing or creating controversy is a tried and tested tool for our media cheerleaders.

The sad fact is the majority don't watch political shows, so the soundbites and recycled talking points given by the MSM won't lift fractured left.

Only one political party is able to afford to run ads from the coalition during prime time.

The Liberal media is free to offer free publicity on their shows to compete with the viewers of Coronation Street.

Television ratings for CBC Power and Politics and Question Period probably equal an infomercial at 3 am.

The left and their MSM cheerleaders are free to howl at the wind.

Anonymous said...

See today's BLY - exactly my point.

E MAC.

Jeff said...

This is even better than watching 24.

Anonymous said...

Remember that the CRTC said that it will be ok for news media not to report the truth [or something to that effect.] This is an example ... so I guess we just have to get used to it. until we get "Fox North" telling a different point of view. Even with proof like this, the CRTC will do nothing. SAD The LIEberals will make sure that there is NO apology on this "over sight" on reporting.

Clown Party

Anonymous said...

As I posted a little while ago at BLY ...

Ardvark, the PM’s remarks re: what he envisions happening in Egypt, go to CPAC Prime Time Politics Weekend here: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&hl=e&clipID=5075
Is that what you’re looking for?
-- Gabby in QC

Anonymous said...

To Craig Oliver
Are editing of remarks becoming a problem on CTV?

In your comments on the Egypt story in which you referred to "eloquent remarks" by Obama, but in referencing Harper's remarks, all you and CTV news could come up with was an analogy that he made with a tooth paste tube ( which maybe a few Canadians found difficult to assimilate when taken in isolation).

So for your benefit and so you are fully informed, which I wish you would have done for the sake of your viewers, here is a transcript of the remarks in their entirety made by Stephen Harper - uncut and unedited (the way news should be presented). I think you will agree CTV viewers were shortchanged on this story and deserve better.

RT. HON. STEPHEN HARPER: Well, first of all, you know, let me just be clear, as I’ve been clear every time I’ve answered this question, that the future of Egypt is for Egyptians to decide. What I think we all want to see and what I think is clear most of the people of Egypt want to see is a transition to a democratic Egypt. We want to see free and fair elections. We want to see the rule of law and stability. We want to see respect for human rights, including the rights of minorities, including the rights of religious minorities, and we want to see a government that will continue to respect peace treaties and seek peace in the Middle East. As I say, we are all seeing what’s happening. A transition is taking place in Egypt. That transition, in my judgment, there is no going back. I think the old expression, “They’re not going to put the toothpaste back in the tube on this one.” Our, you know, our strong recommendations to those in power would be to lead change: get in front of it, be a part of it, and make a bright future happen for the people of Egypt.


When CTV viewers are presented with Harper's total remarks, I think it is safe to say, that they will conclude Stephen Harper need not take a back seat to anyone, on addressing the Egyptian crisis, including Obama, if and when they are presented the uncut and unedited version.
Given that only a few days ago Robert Fife presented CTV viewers an edited or doctored version of Ignatieff's remarks, where CTV neglected to show Ignatieff's gaffe and play the full clip ( although gaffes were the story of the day on CTV when it came to Peter McKay and Schwarzenegger), of when Ignatieff referred to Bill Gates (of Microsoft fame) as United States Secretary of Defense. I have some concern that this may be becoming a habit with CTV in how they present their news stories to viewers. Because of the obvious political implications, managing the presentation of the story in this way, does not make it a news item but rather commentary, with a political bias, which we can expect from political pundits, but not from news reporters, for a national TV network.

rasp said...

Really glad to see your post on this. I am sick of (in this case) CTV trying to pass this crap off as 'true' and 'news'. If Oliver wants to blab away about how much he hates Harper and all things not leaning left he should go get an opinion talk show like Oprah or the View.
I have already filed my complaint with CTV, see here. Look forward to more on this topic.

Ardvark said...

thedailyrasp, keep us posted on any developments.

rasp said...

Sure.

rasp said...

You asked for an update regarding Craig Oliver & CTV Question Period.

I have emailed my complaint to CTV Programming twice and have received no acknowledgment to my concerns.

Today I filed my complaint with the CBSC. It is not an organization I have any faith in but this is their bailiwick so ...

Anyway I guess it's a wait and see deal. They got that faggot word banned on basis of a single complaint - why the hell is Oliver still on the air?

Ardvark said...

Thanks for the update!

Your complaint to the CBSC ensures that you will get a reply back from CTV at a minimum.

Keep us posted!!

rasp said...

Just received a response from CTV. Surprise! They don't agree, Craig did nothing wrong. Now I must stick handle a formal complaint to CBSC. Any tips advice appreciated you can email me or use the (moderated)comments section of my blog.

Ardvark said...

You have already made a complaint with the CBSC, correct? So now tell them that you are not satisfied with the response from CTV and ask them what happens now?