Last week U.S. president Bill Clinton, with PLO leader Yasser Arafat by his side in the White House, was prepared to answer questions about the sensitive Middle East situation.
But instead the press interrogated the president about his relationship with a former intern, while Arafat was ignored.
The uncomfortable press conference showed the significance journalists have placed on whether the president has been honest with them, with the public and with a grand jury.
But if the public believes the media will obtain the whole truth, they should think again.
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People don’t always tell journalists the truth. People have learned to manipulate the media, ranging from subtle avoidance of questions to spreading blatant propaganda. Fact can be disguised as fallacy, and vice versa.
As Americans ponder which sources to believe, the Canadian public should also be cautious about its own media. Consider a case involving Peter Pocklington.
Pocklington Foods Inc. was in court recently suing the Alberta government over its seizure of Gainers in 1989.
While Pocklington claims he had struck a deal with then-premier Don Getty for free market pricing for hogs, in court he was shown a 1987 magazine article that quoted him denying any deals were made.
The Edmonton Journal reported: “Pocklington testified he denied any deals took place because it was no one’s business but his own.”
“And I was certainly not under oath talking to anyone in the press,” Pocklington told the court.
It’s ironic the media are often attacked for misinformation, yet some sources don’t feel any obligation to be honest.
No matter how credible and respected a newspaper may be, it is a messenger – and at times one that can be fed false messages.
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