At the end of last week, the Alberta press corps was in a fury, after the announcement that the Premier would no longer be taking follow-up questions, and that there would be just one question per media outlet. Because, you know, an election is no time to answer questions. Or something like that.
It’s pretty remarkable to think that just over three months ago, Smith held a no-restrictions media availability, saying that “I understand the jobs that you have to do and I have heard from my staff that you want to have a bit more opportunity to ask me questions directly on issues other than the issues we are doing announcements on."
It appears that Smith and/or her advisors have changed their view and are now doing whatever they can to insulate her from media questions (and her own propensity to go off-script and change her story).
Why? I suspect that the calculation here is that the UCP’s brand is far stronger than Smith’s, and for the next six weeks the party wants to appear to be the most generic conservative party imaginable. And they aren’t confident they can do that with Smith front and center.
A sinister undertone
While this move is likely strategic (and a signal that the party is not confident it will win), some of the explanations offered ground it in a troubling stance. On Twitter, the Premier’s senior advisor writes “Albertans should prepare themselves for continuous mainstream media bias for the next 6 weeks.” Add this to the threats to sue CBC for defamation, and we see the UCP joining into the Trumpian attempts to vilify the mainstream media.
The UCP isn’t alone in this. The federal Conservative Party has gone to war against the CBC in recent months, even calling on Twitter to identify the broadcaster as “state media” (like Russia Today).
Looking south of the border, we can see real-world effects when political leaders vilify mainstream media and boost media organizations that do not follow established journalistic practices. Fox news contributed to the myth that the 2020 Presidential election was stolen, with predictable results.
When political leaders lead the attack on the mainstream media, they weaken democracy. By sowing distrust in established information sources, they weaken our collective capacity to respond to emerging crises. (Among the strongest predictors of willingness to be vaccinated for COVID-19: consumption of traditional media).
It’s certainly possible that some of Premier Smith’s advisors believe their own rhetoric of media bias; their stances on COVID suggest that they are open to the misinformation and conspiracy theories offered up by non-traditional media. Whether it’s grounded in sincere belief or is just a political strategy, the assault on the legitimacy of the mainstream media has the potential to weaken our democracy.
Didn't Kenney try this nonsense during the pandemic, supposedly because questions were coming over the phone?
Because nothing says 'Transparent and open' like 'NO FURTHER QUESTIONS!
The journalists need to work together to get to proper answers out of her. I’m sure they can organize clever follow ups from other reporters to flummox her. Otherwise, I’m hoping someone will show up in a chicken costume at all her campaign stops.