Communications Strategy
Some Canadians wonder why the PMO takes the path it does when it comes to public relations:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/video/vs?id=RTGAM.20070530.wv-dion-booed0530
If you can't get the video loaded (it took me a few tries), it essentially shows Dion being heckled and drowned out in the middle of a speech during a labour rally. It looks extremely embarrassing for the man, but he seems to keep it together long enough to rush to the end of his prepared notes. If this had happened to Harper, this would have made front-page news, no problem. Don't worry, I'm not claiming media bias here - all I'm saying is that any Prime Minister is expected to uphold a certain level of dignity, and had there been an event where he had been shouted down the way Dion had, it would certainly make for big news.
Now, there's been a lot of criticism about how the PMO conducts its relations with the media, and more generally, the public. Many see the media relations strategy to be too strict, and that the media should have much freer access to the country's leader. Nowadays, reporters actually have to line up to ask questions to the Prime Minister, and some people in the media just aren't used to this sort of way of doing business.
But my view on this is that the relationship between media and the state shouldn't be too friendly. Being too friendly with the media is not good for the public interest - the media should be biased against Harper and the Conservatives in order to act as a counterweight to the power of the state and to point out where the state should improve (to put it nicely). The Conservative communications strategy isn't some sinister plot to prevent Canadians from getting the information they deserve. Rather, it's a new aspect a professionalism that hasn't been present in the relationship between media and government for years due to the previous Liberal strategy of chumminess with the media. The media's role is to report objectively, and at times, criticize policy decisions, and an aspect of organized conduct could certainly achieve this.
And plus, if the PMO's frantic control-freak mentality prevents mobs of Canadians from being filmed drowning out one of Harper's speeches with boos, then I am totally on board.
