Are some Manitoba media stifling dissent on the hog barn issue? One activist speaks out.
John Fefchak of Virden (L.) has been a critic of the hog industry for
years. An Air Force veteran now in his eighties, he writes many letters to the
editor. They're often in a losing cause, and often at odds with the
"pro-hog" editorial stance of many mainstream media. But neither
circumstance nor time have deterred him. His letters drive home the
wrong-headedness of politicians who "cheerlead" for an industry with
so many downsides, including a propensity to pollute our precious waterways.
Below is John's latest letter, telling of his experiences with the Sun, a daily
newspaper in Brandon, Manitoba. (PinP)
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Is The
Brandon Sun Newspaper Applying a Double Standard?
On Nov.
14th, 2017, the Sun published yet another story about yet another hog producer
complaining of being "hard done by." This after the Pallister
government had already passed legislation recklessly slashing health and
environmental protections, in order to pave the way for even more mega-barns.
Still, the producer wasn't happy. He thought that legislation, which surely
guarantees more pollution, more cruelty to animals and more
disease among humans and animals alike, didn't go far enough. That's because a
local council had the nerve to exercise some autonomy and turn down his own bid
for a new barn.
But when I wrote a
letter-to-the-editor to express these concerns, the editor informed me, it
would not be published!
"It's not that we're not interested," he wrote.
"But we are receiving far too many letters on one single issue to run. At
some point, it becomes too much. I would really appreciate letters on
other topics."
And that
made me wonder, "Isn't that what Newspapers do...share the voice of the
people?"
Personally, I
have been writing letters to the Sun for nearly two decades. And editors I've
dealt with up 'til now have always encouraged me to "keep writing." I
believe my letters cover important issues like, animal stewardship,
health, water, environment and future generations.
Limiting
letters from people like myself, while faithfully covering every burp and
squeal from the pork industry, smacks of a double standard to me. Surely if
their argument is, they're getting too many letters on one topic,...what
about too much coverage from the Industry side?
After all,
the Sun does advertise that it welcomes letters. Now, it seems to be saying
something quite different...that freedom of expression just may be curtailed.
And that's
too bad.
John Fefchak,
Virden, MB
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