There's something refreshing about a politician who picks their stance on an issue, and sticks to it. That's what Rob Ford continues to do with Toronto Star. The newspaper printed a 2010 story about Ford and a possible physical confrontation with a high-school football player over a bad performance on the field. It even says witnesses interviewed even disagree on what actually happened that day. The story was proven wrong by the Globe & Mail, and the Star hasn't apologized for their error.
And the newspaper is supposedly paying the price. Ford has cut off all access to himself and will not grant them an interview until they apologize for the story. According to the Star as well, they have allegedly not been getting the news releases on the Mayor's appearances and schedule from his office. Being a journalist, this should be a space where I rant on about the freedom of the press to say whatever we want. But frankly on this one I agree with Mayor Ford.
I agree with Ford because as a Journalist I'm well aware that my professional reputation rests on my stories, and the facts contained in them. If I'm unable to confirm a fact or figure; or in this case someone's eye witness account it doesn't go into the story, period. If I publish something that has been clearly proven wrong such as this has been by the Globe & Mail, then I would have no problem admitting I'm wrong. It might stink having to swallow my pride but I'd admit it, and apologize.
The Star's claims that it hasn't been receiving press releases and media advisories from Mayor Ford's office rings completely bogus to me. The Toronto Star is one of Canada's leading daily newspapers, you can't tell me their journalists don't have their "anonymous sources" in the Mayor's Office, or one or two councillors who might happen to be at the same events as Mr. Ford that are talking to the newspaper or willing to share their schedules.
I haven't been at this media business very long, but I have realized two things especially when it comes to politicians; it's about relationships, and access. You have to have one to get the other; if your relationship sours with someone then it's pretty much game over on the access side of things.
This whole story seems to be a self-made one for the Star designed to try and sell newspapers and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Today's installment was a transcript of an interview Mr. Ford gave to Am640's John Oakley about his apparent "boycott" of the paper. Ford said he encourages people to read the Globe & Mail, and the Sun instead of the Star. He also told a story about how they had a party for his newly departed Press Secretary for council, and the media but the Toronto Star were the only ones who didn't show up.
That was the newspaper's choice; and they shouldn't complain about being excluded. It's time the Star either stayed quiet and take the consequences of its actions- and maybe someday when the Mayor is in a kinder mood have its access restored. Or they could just buck up, admit they were wrong, and apologize.
