Tony's Corner
Shocking: Most people read newspapers for…the news
Tony Curcio
Our tribalism is destroying confidence in objective reporting
I have a question for you. Let’s say you live in Ontario. When
was the last time you didn’t read an article in the Toronto Sun
criticizing PM Justin Trudeau (or anything small-L liberal)?
When was the last time you didn’t read a Toronto Star article
criticizing Ontario Premier Doug Ford (or any small-C con-
servative)? I don't know about you, but I’m sick to death of
newspaper reporters injecting opinions that masquerade as
news in their stories. Again, most readers don’t give a rat’s
behind about a writer’s personal opinions. If they do, they
should seek out the editorial pages or a specific columnist.
Please, just give us the raw facts. We’ll make up our own
minds. For me, left wing or right wing are positions on a
hockey team.
I’m sick of the Toronto Sun, for example, labeling anyone who
disagrees with them as liberal lefties. I’m just as sick of the
Toronto Star running articles ad nauseam about bicycle paths
– as if they’re the key to our city’s future – while criticizing
the city’s drivers. You’ll notice that I didn’t include the Globe
and Mail or National Post. I find that most often, they actually
present both sides of an argument and back their conclusions
up with something called facts. OMG!
I guess, as human beings, we simply can’t resist placing a
label on those who don’t agree with us. This behaviour show-
cases one of the worst traits of our species – tribalism. And
it’s destroying our faith in objective reporting. So why is this
happening? Well, because of current financial pressures on
newspapers, they’re now catering primarily to their bases.
Sorry folks, but that’s not real journalism – at least not the
kind I was trained to write.
So here’s my advice to fellow journalists, which I’m sure they’ll
dismiss. I’m always willing to listen. But if you want to convince
me of anything, then before you commit your ideas to the
printed page, try writing something meaningful – not some-
thing mean.
Until next time, always remember that we’re here to help.
Tony Curcio
Editor, Graphic Arts Magazine
[email protected]
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8 | October 2018 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE
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