The debate over CanWest editorial bias on the Middle East has become a national story. Read on, then post your thoughts in the forum.

CanWest, Reuters remain at odds Reuters news agency says it's "just going to continue to clarify [its] policy" with Canada's largest newspaper chain after an editorial in the chain's flagship daily, the National Post, indicated it would continue to insert the word "terrorist" in stories from Reuters and other wire services. Speaking yesterday from New York, Stephen Naru, Reuters' global head of media relations, said his organization "hasn't responded" to the editorial, published on Saturday, which said Reuters' "use of euphemisms" such as "militant," "insurgent" and "extremist" to describe some of the people in the Middle East and Iraq "merely serves to apply a misleading gloss of political correctness." The Post editorial concluded: "We believe we owe it to our readers to remove it before they see their newspapers every morning." David Schlesinger, Reuters global managing editor, said last week that he would like the Post and any of the other 12 newspapers in the CanWest Global chain to remove or reposition the Reuters credits from stories that have been "substantially altered." As a policy, Reuters avoids words such as "terrorist" and "terrorism," preferring "the absence of emotion in [its] vocabulary, so that events may be judged dispassionately" and its reporters in the field "can be protected." A CBC reporter contacted the news agency after noticing that a Reuters story in last Tuesday's National Post was altered. In a broadcast Friday, CBC also reported that a Sept. 9 article in the Ottawa Citizen, another CanWest newspaper, added the word "terrorist" seven times to an article credited to the Associated Press news agency. Yesterday, Mr. Naru wouldn't say what Reuters might do if CanWest Global newspapers do not co-operate. "Editorial writers have a point of view," he observed, but wondered if editorials reflect the policy or the administration of a newspaper. "I know that our business people have talked to them [CanWest Global]," he said. But because of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur observances, "I don't know if everyone got contacted that should have been contacted." "Frankly," Mr. Naru said late last week, "we didn't initiate this; the CBC did this. We weren't, like, outraged or anything like that. It's been misconstrued a bit." Mr. Schlesinger agreed, but felt the matter had to be addressed because "I don't want people to think we've changed our policies." In the spring, CanWest Global adopted chain-wide guidelines for its newspapers and TV outlets for use of "terror" and related words. However, on Friday, the Citizen published two corrections related to the use of such terms, one referring to the Sept. 9 AP article, the other to an AP dispatch published Thursday. In the last, the newspaper changed the AP report to describe six of 10 West Bank Palestinians killed by the Israeli army as "terrorists." The original used the term "fugitives." In its correction, the Citizen opted for "militants." In an interview published yesterday in The New York Times, Scott Anderson, editor-in-chief of the Ottawa Citizen, called the two episodes "silly errors" that violated Citizen policy, "which is to use the term 'terrorist' to describe someone who deliberately targets civilians." Late last week, a spokesman for Associated Press in New York said that while it understands "our customers need to edit our stories from time to time . . ., we do not endorse changes that make an AP unbalanced, unfair or inaccurate." -James Adams The Globe and Mail

ADBUSTERS SUCKS ASS
Barb, Princeton

You guys are racist assholes and should shut up adbusters is the stupidest magazine ever up yours
Justin, Vancouver

Canwest is a cancer in our society. Anyone with a shred of morals and ethics would find some place else to work. This is no place to get the real news. Canwest makes me puke.
Premptive False Flag, Callujah

Hi I was reading this information regarding CanWest. Generally i try to avoid reading newspapers, I don't trust the media. After reading this, i feel that it's time for ACTION. I am going to try to start some type of database for a group i am involved in, but I WILL NEED YOUR HELP, PLEASE. I will be scouring the Ottawa Citizen dilligently for examples of this bias - but if others could get to me with glaring evidence in their own cities, it would help out my group's cause greatly. I would appreciate help... you can email me AT: rafiki43{at}hotmail{dot}com. That would be awesome, thanks.
td, Ottawa

what we really need is to begin an adbusters malitia we need to act now before's its too late
now, here

fuck u canwest fuck u i fucking hate these fuckers! we gotta do something something real and meaningful we gotta do it now fuckers!
concerned -, thunderbay

All news reporters and media should be, I hope honest and unbiased. There has to be some truth to this slam against this media giant. I trust they will rethink their viewpoint relative to the news, both domestic and international, Theres certainly public trust here involved folks. Lets look at what, and how the reporting is handled.
DJ Herd, Vancouver

Of course Canwest is biased. So is this rag. When is the last time you have criticized the Palestinian cause for their abhorrent means, to get to their just end.
J Harrison, Ottawa

A good example of their bias would be their coverage of a Palestinian held event here in Calgary, that featured a prominent Jewish Rabbi and a Canadian volunteer paramedic who served in Palestine. The Rabbi spoke of how Zionism was a recent phenomenon, while the Paramedic spoke of his harrowing experiences there. The article covering the event (written by Danielle Smith, also host of Global TV's Sunday Report), didn't bother mentioning the Paramedic, and called the Rabbi, "Anti-Semetic". The only coverage it received was through this editorial. Danielle Smith is also a part of "Stand with Isra... [read more]
Omar, Calgary

Can anybody say "ROSEBUD!"? I may be wrong but hasn't this sort of Yellow Journalism been around for a LONG time? It is no revelation that a major media outlet with concentrated ownership is flogging fatty slices of opinion in the guise of lean and objective reporting. They are in the business of inflamatory rhetoric and, yes, it IS ALL ABOUT SELLING MORE STUFF, hence the ads. Media Literacy is important. Teach someone about how to read critically. Asper cannot be faulted for being who he is. He is one of a long line of self-styled information Czars who use their channels to proffer their o... [read more]
Jim Kinney, Toronto

I began reading the post a few years ago and I enjoy it. They ARE selective and they ARE biased. I happen to prefer their bias and what they place in their newspapers over the bias of other newspapers (like the Toronto Star). This doesn't mean I agree with everything they say, in fact, I am often frustrated by comments in their editorials. In the case of their bias against Islam, I would disagree. The editors are only working for what they believe is right (ie. using the word terrorist). However, they don't have to be so stuck up about it. People are sensible in these times of trouble. They ... [read more]
D.E. Williams, Toronto

Of course the National Pest , er Post and other CanWest media are biased towards Israel. Ironically, however, because their bias is laden with anti-Arab/Muslim hate-filled rhetoric and utterly misreprestative of the documented historical record, it has in fact served the Palestinian cause and contributed greatly to the villification of Israel(now a world-wide phenomenon.) Contrary to what the Aspers apparently believe, most Canadians are able to tell when a media outlet is pushing an agenda. By now it should be obvious to any reasonably intelligent person with a basic awareness of events in th... [read more]
Gary, Vancouver, B.C.

Adbusters is engaged in a double standard. CanWest is not biased against anything the Palestinians stand for, just murder! It is dishonest to say that CanWest is labeling Palestinians as terrorists. Terror is terror and to accept that conduct from one side of a conflict but condem agression in defence is not only one-sided but hypocritical journalism i.e. the very same thing Adbusters is complaining about! Furthermore Israel became an "occupier" by defending itself in an unwanted war. Since Adbusters ran the story of "outing" Jewish neocons I have lost all respect for it and will no longer pur... [read more]
P, vncouver, bc

Ever hear an Isreali called a trespasser? How about a squater even? Has anyone been charged with murdering by bull dozer?
Doug Cunningham, Barrie

Media owners always have and always will use their ability to sway public opinion for their own political causes. By allowing a monopoly situation however, government becomes involved in any dissembling of media information. It is no coincidence that CanWest supports the Liberal government just as those government "Human Rights" enforcers that jump on anti-Semitism remain silent in the face of CanWests' defamation of Muslims. There exists within our federal government a strong pro-Israel lobby. The CRTC, which is supposed to ensure both fair and balanced media commentary on Middle East issues ... [read more]
M. W. Nisbet, Vancouver

It is sad to see that Mr. Leonard Asper - with all his media power - continues to poison Canada with one-sided pro-Israeli reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It's sad that we have people like him in our society which is founded upon freedom and objectivity, and not censorship, manipulation and political one-sidedness.
Daniel, Vancouver, BC

The bias is there – though it is rather well hidden and/or obfuscated by the rest of the news flow surrounding it. CanWest is damn good at treading a fine line between overt bias and – how should I say this? – a recognizable editorial chip on their shoulder. The biggest problem isn't that the Aspers have this bias; the problem is that they have so many media outlets to air it. Worse yet, this bias doesn't represent Canada as a whole, or the smaller communities where CanWest papers and TV stations are based. They're force feeding their views onto Canadians.
Rebecca, Windsor

Regardless of the Aspers nationality, they are right wing Americans in thought and deed. My first experience with their brand of bias and incompetence was my subscription to the Ottawa Citizen, a paper riddled with hilarious typos, misspellings (in headlines!) and pathetic attempts at "serious" journalism dictated by the puppetmasters in Winnipeg. I have since boycotted everything Global/Canwest , as well as the Bush, er, Fox Network. I am sure that there are mouth-breathers who still get their opinions from this biased trash but thankfully we are in Canada and Canadians are, as Michael Moore ... [read more]
Barbara Jordan, Toronto

Any strong point of view creates animus. The interesting thing is the strong reactions against the National Post. I feel it is the paper's stance on Israel that fuels these reactions. The issue is volatile. As for the CBC, it does not completely rely on subscriptions or sales, like the Post. No matter how many people listen to or watch it, it is going to receive government funding. A lot more people tune into CanWest for the news, and these people are supporting the CBC with their taxes, even though they don't watch it. The CBC doesn't seem pro or anti Israel to me, they seem to give various o... [read more]
kim harrison, vancouver

i don't think they are biased. While I agree with Adbusters on many levels, I find your take on the Middle-East especially Israel very one sided. There are many wrongs being performed by the Israely government (as there are by almost every government on the planet) however, your coverage seems to single them out as the only problem.
Ashley Herman, Toronto, Canada

About the Globe and Mail ad attacking CanWest: I think the majority of Vancouver Sun and Province readers don’t realize that the two papers are owned by the same company. The ad in the Globe and Mail will help, but you're spreading the word to people who don’t buy CanWest papers. There needs to be a day where a large group of people stands by EVERY newspaper box in Vancouver handing out flyers. We need to have CanWest readers hear the truth, not Globe readers (Bell/Globemedia is no angel either).
David MacVicar, Vancouver

I live in fear that we'll lose the CBC. Then what would we be left with? Like that old saying, "You can fool most sometimes, and some most times," CanWest reminds me of another one: "It's an empty barrel makes the loudest noise"
Mic Finlay, Toronto

I am a muslim from Toronto, and very disappointed that the National Post is so biased against certain groups of people. I am also disappointed that this bias exist in the 21st century. We need more peace and love in this world. While Islam may not be the same as Christianity or Judaism, I am sure that every religion teaches being fair, just and honest to every human being. But as the Asper family is biased against Muslims and Arabs, I would like to ask them what religion they follow.
Nizar Manji, Toronto

The Aspers are idiots if they think that truthful journalism won't happen anywhere else so long as they keep it out of their own media empire. The fact is, no matter how big they get, some people will want to know the truth and they WILL find it. By stifling Winnipeg's media the Aspers are only giving themselves more backpedaling to do later, when their mass media empire crumbles. Thank you for being one to start voicing the truth. Let's hope that there's more to come.
Amanda Kristjanson Reshaur, Winnipeg, Manitoba

When I first read the posts about the extreme bias of The National Post, I had my doubts. However, after reading an editorial in the August 24th issue of the Post, about the succesfulness of an Anti-Kerry TV ad, my views were quickly changed. In it, the writer, David Frum, mentions how many veterans of the Vietnam war hate the idea of Kerry being their 'Commander in Chief'. Yet, Frum fails to mention any information about George W. Bush being AWOL from his air-base in Texas. I understand that bias opinons exists; however, I have never seen stronger ones than in The National Post.
Daniel Vechter (16), Vancouver

Wow, my comment has only been on here a few hours and already it's been edited. Nobody does censorship quite like the left.
Jon Cooper, Toronto

I love how this forum opens with an article by Antonia Zerbisias, the resident mental midget at The Toronto Liberal, I mean Star. Antonia has been chastized before by her own ombudsman for gross distortions in her articles.
Jon Cooper, Toronto

In response to Monty: The problem with CanWest is not so much its size as the strong biases and lack of different viewpoints in its news coverage. I find it insulting that you compare the opponents of CanWest with the Nazis. The ethnicity and religion of the owners of a company is not the issue. The issue is with what those owners and their company does. I would be just as opposed to any media company that stifled free media in this country, irrespective of who owned it.
Joshua, Waterloo

It's ironic that adbusters would try to give money to Canada's largest corporation (BCE), in the form of a one page ad, to badmouth a smaller corporation (Canwest). I'm sure the fact that Canwest is primarily owned by Jews is just a coincidence. The Nazis also used to call themselves socialsists.
Monty, Toronto

Do right-wingers really believe that all lefties are non-productive, unemployed whiners who sit around in hemp clothing and blame every one for everything? Do they really think that, by virtue of them holding a job, that they have authority to muffle debate about things that are rather important, such as who controls what Canadians read as "truth" and what bias that "truth" seems to be taking, thanks to CanWest. Isn't there another argument other than that old and lame "productive members of society" one, which, when boiled down, means simply: don't dissent because we on the right don't understand what you're upset about.
Rebecca, Vancouver

In China, where I've lived for about 11 months now, the kind of things Disney is described as doing is the norm. Not just in factories (where it's REALLY bad), but in schools, colleges, probably even the governemnt. No one here wants to cause a fuss, any mistake or foot out of line means losing your job, it's a harsh place. For example, at a college where I worked this summer, they made a propoganda ad for the college (they actually called it propoganda, very honest of them). a girl complained about the dishonesty of saying that there were 3000 students there (it's a private college for rich m... [read more]
Andy, Qingdao, PRC

Poor left-wingers. Because you are too lazy and close-minded to hold down real jobs it takes hundreds of you months to raise money for one full page ad in The Globe and Mail. Pathetic. Maybe you should stop blaming Jews, Can-West and George W. for all the problems in this world and actually become productive members of society. I used to buy your magazine and believe your nonsense but then there comes a point where reality sets in. Scapegoating others for problems of our own making won't solve them. At least there is a new generation of mental midgets out there now to support your drivel. Did ... [read more]
Jon Cooper, Toronto

My experiences with CanWest have involved specifically The Ottawa Citizen. I have alerted them to fraudulent headlines they have repeatedly printed and they refuse to correct these headlines. They absolutely want the public to believe lies. I sent a few letters to them and the final one resulted in an uncomfortable debate with the chief editor, Kurt Johnson. My final letter to the Ottawa Citizen, although it is heated please keep in mind that this is after many vain attempts to uncover their lies, is as follows: You should be sued for inciting hatred against not only the truth, but against... [read more]
Aisha Badran, Ottawa

I have to put up with a great breakfast spoiler-the Gazette.
Ahmad, Montreal

I think it is high time that the Canadian people push extremely hard to have today's current media entirely regulated. I am so tired of their only being a left or right. No one from my generation is buying that shit anymore. It is time to progress. At least the CBC gives a building block to this direction. CanWest is attempting to simply de-evolve the masses and get them to be a mirror of the bi-polar environment that is happening south of the border. The worlds greatest Democracies are being hijacked by people that like to hide behind Human and Civil rights, just as long as it is not applied to their percieved enemies.
Mossy, Toronto

I find that many of us on the political left are much too emotional and angry at what they oppose. This is why we are still not close to the cultural revolution that we seek. If we want to see real change in the world, we must talk in terms that the whole world understands; we must take emotion out of the equation. We must educate the public with rational facts.
Geoff, Calgary

CanWest is garbage, a sort of Canadian Fox. I don't mind catching an NFL game on Sunday, I just wish they didn't always show the stinkin' Bills. As far as newspapers, I live in Toronto, so I read the Star and the Globe. I never read the "Fascist Post". I feel bad for everyone else in Canada though. Like in Vancouver and Montreal, CanWest owns the major English dailies. That's sad, I couldn't imagine how stupid I'd be if I'd grown up thinking the stuff reported in a CanWest paper was news.
Jason Yustin, Toronto

Assuming this article is 100 percent true, I have to agree that the CanWest System is a fascist chain of media rags and frequencies. To further add to the scales, was the national debate not help on the CanWest stations? Is that perhaps why the Green Party was not included on the national debate? CBC managed to at least hold interviews with Green Party leaders and get their messages and ideas out a few days beforehand.
Cory Emerson, not given

I'm Muslim and I don't hate Jews or the West. In fact I'm a Muslim Canadian, born and raised, 5th Generation Canadian. My religion does not profess hatred, it professes Love and Peace - the word Islam stands for Peace and Submission. HOWEVER, when we are attacked, we will fight back for justice and equality against oppression and aggression. Unfortunately, CanWest/Global and media sources like Fox news call others anti-this and anti-that, but they are shooting themselves in the foot for they are the ones who are anti-democracy and anti-freedom of speech.
Mariam, London, Ontario

I've heard that the National Post has been losing money every year since its inception. Nik 'The National Post: You couldn't get more bullshit on paper if you wiped a cow's ass' Sydor
Nik Sydor, Ottawa/Waterloo

If the Palestinians suddenly inhaled half a zillion in gold and some nukes I bet the Asper Bros. would climb up their asses like Heinrich Herrar. Probably while singing "let the eagle soar" It would become their "duty" Yes it's good ole ass-kissery instead of stopping misery.Meanwhile "all eyes off Africa" As the cops on the TV say "nothing to see here,move along people,move along."
Mike Flood, Northampton, MA

How pleased I was to find this site to focus my anger and frustration at the Asper propaganda monopoly. The shock of having one's own area paper (The Ottawa Citizen, in this case) userped by the Sharon-Bush neo-fascists hasn't warn off. The paper is insidious in it's attempt distort the news against the oppressed. Thanks.
David E. Agar, Russell, Ontario

It is unfortunate that we had to have something like this occur for Canada to realize that perhaps large, all-encompassing corporations are a bad idea. Even now, most Canadians are still ignorant of this. With such absolute control over such an overwhelmingly disproportionate amount of media sources, it is not surprising that it would begin to be abused in one way or another. However, there is a bit of hope. Depsite Mr. Asper's disproportionate share of what goes into our heads, Canadians have stood firm and refused to bend their minds to his will. Otherwise, we would have been stuck with a Co... [read more]
Jordan Louis, Simcoe, Ontario

Balance, people? If there is extremism in any phenomenon (this time, the press), will there not be opposing extremism in an effort to seek balance? People seek further power by placing themselves farther and farther away from the fulcrum (point of balance), and then you have the polarization and extremism that we've found ourselves mired in. There is no winner on a teeter-totter for God's (may I call Him God?) sake - only losers if it breaks or crashes.
Jerry, Millarville


Christien Hoogveld, Calgary

One only need to consider CanWest's supposed documentary two years ago about the student uprising at Concordia University to illustrate how little credibility they have when it comes to commenting on accurate and unbiased media. That 90 minute piece of racist trash was so offensive it should have been deemed a violation of Canada's hate laws. It never ceases to amaze me how many neo-con right wing nuts in this country say hate the CBC because it's liberal-biased - when in fact, the only reason they hate it is because it's not right-wing biased.
Grant, Calgary

I shudder to think of where this country, no, where this world may be today were it not for the CBC. I never cease to be impressed with the balance and scope of coverage CBC journalists provide us with. How many abuse of power incidents have the CBC publicized, as though everyone had the right to know what goes on behind closed doors in governments and businesses around the world. By contrast, has anyone ever considered CanWest global et al. to be bastions of journalistic excellence? Now I'm not condemning their reporting outright, because I'm sure there are many good people involved with thei... [read more]
Steve Masters, Kingston, Ontario

I am sure that the "Graspers", to quote Fotheringham, are pigs but let's acknowledge the fact that Islam is a state whose organization requires the collective and willing race hatred of the Jews, and by association, the West. The attack on the Twin Towers was the largest Anti-Semitic act extant. (forget the Germans) I am always shocked at the left and it's willingness to believe the worst of the Jews. We are a Judeo-Christian culture and if you deny this fact you are naive. If you embrace Islam you change the texture of the West. Do you imagine an "Adbusters" would be published in the East. You would be shot at daylight.
Warren Willows, North Vancouver

CanWest's coverage of political events is so obviously biased, introducing US style marketing into its newscasts. While their international news bias is of great concern, their open ideological support for Ontario's "CommonSense Revolution" shows the devestating power they have with public opinion, their primary business.
Daniel Armstrong, Hamilton / Seoul

There is a fundamental conflict of interest with CanWest - CanWest is a public company (with public shareholders) but it pursues the interests of the Asper family, thereby oppressing the other shareholders. Simply put, CanWest spends investor money to pursue Israel's interests.
Nasser, Toronto

I work in Canada seven months a year. I still live in Scotland. I read British and Canadian newspapers regularly. The difference is astounding!! When I look at a newspaper in Canada I am reminded of one of those commercials you see that are made to look as if it is an actual article. You read of some new wonder cure for all of your woes that will make you more beautiful and popular. If you look carefully you see the tiny print of 'this is a paid commercial' My girlfriend has had to put up with my ranting on the subject for quite a while. What convinced me that I wasn't imagining it was ... [read more]
Rob, Canmore and Scotland

The Aspers are an enemy to Canada and the justice and values that Canada stands for. Their control of information and censorship coming into our homes makes them dangerous. Their hatred for the Palestinians makes them the true "anti-semites".. The Aspers and modern day jews are white people,,,they are not semitic people in any way. Aspers loyalty and passions are with Israel. Period. It is unbelievable what Israel can get away with. They are modern day nazis cudos to this website.
Kurtis, Canada

Where would the Aspers and CanWest be without U S programming? If they would put as much effort in promoting Canadian based productions as they do in critisizing the CBC, we would ALL be better off.
Kevin Moyle, Keswick Ontario

Calling suicide bombers "homicide bombers" as the Asper family preches should be done is horribly prejudiced. In doing so, and considering only the victims of the bomb attacks, we ignore the person who was willing to end their own life to take those of others. The reasons for that person's actions are hence never truly evaluated.
Andrew Sain, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Canwest does not produce newsworthy news, they present opinion shaping reporting designed to further keeping of the herd in line. They do not have truly independent objective reporting, their reporting is slanted and politically one sided, it is also mannered in a way as not to be offensive to advertisers. It is not news per se, more it is a magazine format wherein the real news is secondary at best. Neither deep nor insightful, treading lightly when dealing with all things Israel and using coarser tones and speech when discussing dissenters of any stripe or creed. In summary they are the e... [read more]
Graham Day-Myron, Hamilton Ontario

I think the CBC is a threat to the Asper Media Empire because it has credibility and a truly national audience, however small it may now be, which is exactly what Leonard Asper aspires to. Canadians in every corner of this country grew up listening to and watching the CBC and the CBC grew along with the country and its changing demographics. CanWest, with its American-style spinning of facts into political ideology, looks, sounds and reads exactly like what it is: propaganda designed to keep the rich and powerful in the driver's seat. The majority of Canadians do not have the same "Asperations... [read more]
Patricia Maher, Vancouver