The greatest threat to democracy: Journalism

Re: Journalism’s Self-Righteous Myth-Makers, Conrad Black, June 22.

The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) banned me (I think for eternity) in 2000 for challenging its dogma on the CAJ-lists, the discussion board for members. Briefly, my “crime” was to respond to a thread on why people think journalists are biased. I jumped in to say people think that because, collectively, we are. Pick any controversy — gun control, marijuana legalization, abortion, gay marriage ± then count the inches or minutes allotted to each “side” of the argument.

The catcalls continued, so I said: “Take ‘choice.’ The idea of free choice in abortion is a misnomer. There is no choice contemplated for the father, the grandparents, the fetus or the state. The only choice contemplated is for a pregnant woman, and everybody knows a pregnant woman can’t choose between blue and green socks and will cry if you tell her it’s Wednesday.” Note: I was not debating abortion; I was using an example of a controversy.

I was then banned from the CAJlists.

OK. I admit I was looking for a skyrocket. Still, as a “journalist” organization, the CAJ should support free speech, not suppress it when someone holds a contrary view. One of the few list members to write me privately and offer support was thenbroadcaster Mike duffy, and the CAJ finally caught up to him, as well.

I have had another 13 years to consider this issue, and I have concluded the greatest danger facing democracy is journalism — a self-congratulating cadre of undereducated fantasy hounds on drugs. Many journalists lack the money, influence and the intelligence to become a success in law, politics or finance, but they realize the power that a notebook, camera and the virtual badge of the Fourth estate can bring.

Today I own a small trade-magazine company and am pleased to have no affiliation with CAJ.

Kerry Knudsen, Cheltenham, Ont..