Dear Editor:
Re: Another reason to distrust journalists, column, The Record, June 14.
I read with some interest your apologia. Perhaps a better title for your think piece just might be, "Another reason to distrust politicians!" Like you, I come from an era and of a journalistic tradition wherein the "Canons of Journalism" were drummed into me by my journalism teacher, and throughout my short career as a journalist in high school and university, I always believed that investigative journalists must be diligent in their search for the truth and be "the voice" of the "outs" when the political "ins" were lining their pockets from public coffers or unduly favouring their supporters by "feathering their nests" by plucking taxpayers. But, speaking truth to power may have a financial consequence, especially for community newspapers that are very dependent on their local power nodes for advertising revenues.
What I believe we are witnessing is, on the one hand, a diminishment of resources or appetite for old-fashioned investigative journalism and a growing abusive sense of entitlement on behalf of our politicians. Just look at their rich pensions and privileges. We only have to look at the cases you cite to see how this sense of entitlement corrupts the judgement of the better angels of those in power - especially those who are appointed with no recourse or oversight. To be fair, long serving politicians of all stripes, especially those in an entrenched power situation, also believe they can abuse power without impunity as well.
As to your premise, I have opined to other friends, who share my political science background, a possible reason for your journalistic colleagues living "high on the hog." It may well be an extension of their jealousy, while being journalistic watchdogs and seeing, but not reporting in a quid pro quo compact, these politicians are unconscionably draining the public trough. Once they become part of that system, they are bound to be caught up in the imperious urge to get their share.
E.C. "Ted" Eddy, New Westminster
