True motives questioned
Re: City’s censorship action ‘a stall tactic’, Oct.4-10
David Broadland has legitimate concerns about the way that the city is handling his FOI request. But the relentless public campaign that Focus magazine has launched against Dean Fortin's team for years casts serious doubts on the true motives of Broadland and his colleagues.
For almost a year before the bridge referendum in 2010, Broadland attacked Fortin and his crew and their handling of the bridge issue in every Focus issue. In all my years as a political junkie, I have never witnessed such a blatant smear campaign against a local politician. Forget objective investigative journalism; think ‘witch hunt.’
Only one litmus test separates proper journalism from tabloid propaganda: does it seek to be balanced and fair, giving the other side a chance to be heard? In his onslaught of articles slamming Fortin over the years, never once has Broadland actually interviewed the mayor or anyone at city hall with a counter perspective!
Broadland’s statement says it all: “My guess is the city knew full well...” Whatever happened to following an actual lead? Broadland’s way is pure guesswork, making up a case as you go along.
It is the pure writer in me that winces and perspires whenever I see a one-sided manifesto without any dissenting voices. Suspicions, distrust and alarm bells scream out when I see a one man band: one viewpoint, one agenda, one mission.
Doreen Marion Gee,Victoria