Great Journalism for a SONG
The Toronto Sun is working towards it, but finds that crime reports get in the way. The National Enquirer has almost achieved it, but the newspaper does report on real people, no matter how ridiculously.
Ultimately, it was The Toronto Star, in the midst of a strike, that perfected the "newsless newspaper." The format, three advertising sections (automotive, homes and travel), television guide and colour comics, could become popular among newspapers looking to cut costs during the worst decline in advertising in decades.
Talk about bare essentials!
This is not surprising coming from Torstar Enterprises, publisher of The Star, which had previously pioneered the "mainstream alternative" publication with eye WEEKLY. (Rolling Stone doesn't count; it started as an alternative magazine and slowly slid into mainstream respectability over time.) It probably sounds churlish, but I'm afraid the wrong Torstar employees went out on strike.
If The Star is serious about "contracting out" jobs, perhaps it should start with John Honderich. I can think of a dozen unemployed journalists who would gladly write a self-important letter on national unity every two weeks for a fraction of the cost (although most would probably balk at wearing a bowtie).
Nobody could accuse management of using Torstar resources to undermine the legitimacy of the Southern Ontario Newspaper Guild; nobody who harbours a secret desire to work for Harlequin, anyway. But, isn't it more than a little suspicious that virtually every letter the newspaper has published on the strike has started, "I love The Toronto Star, but when are you going to get rid of all those scum-sucking, bottom-feeding union vermin who are ruining everything fair and decent about this city..."?
I mean, when did the "Paper for the People" become the "Little Paper That Spewed"?
Go For the Heart, Leave the Brain Behind
And, speaking of the little paper that schmoozed, The Sun recently set out to prove once again that it loved Canada more than any other publication in the country, despite the fact that no one has ever contested its claim. In the run-up to Canada's 125th birthday, the paper started draping its Sunshine Girls in skimpy flags and running cutlines like: "Misty, 21, really loves her country! She is concerned about clearcut logging in BC, aboriginal rights in Quebec and the lack of gratifying oral sex in Ontario!"
It's hard to take The Sun's coverage of Canada Day seriously when it spends the rest of the year savaging everything that makes Canada distinct. The only things The Sun seems to like about Canada are Canadians who dance on the fleur de lys, our close relationship with the Americans and Preston Manning.
Hardly enough to build a country on.
The little paper that snoozed recently got a new slogan: "A Tough Little Paper To Put Down." They should fire the person who came up with that winner; it's so easy to make fun of, I put the paper down every chance I get.
(In the) Service (of) Journalism
I've often wondered why The Globe and Mail doesn't have a means test for readers; if you don't make over $50,000 a year, you're politely told to read another, lesser publication. It seems awfully decent of them to allow us little people to be exposed to the rich person's view of the world.
And, what a view it is! On the front page of a recent issue, readers were made painfully aware of the sadness and shame of millionaires being forced to sell their multi-million dollar homes for hundreds of thousands of dollars less than they're worth! Can anybody still doubt we are in a recession, and that entire segments of the population are being devastated?
And yet, and yet...surely, there are issues which must be reported without reference to the wealthy. What if alien beings made contact with humans? No, The Globe would probably run articles on the economic possibilities of opening up intergalactic markets. Worldwide nuclear Armageddon? The Globe would probably devote a series to how it would affect housing prices on the Bridle Path.
And, people wonder why the wealthy seem so callous towards the poor!
