Rob Ford in the media
Rob Ford has been in the spotlight of Canadian media ever since the allegations have surfaced about a video of the Toronto Mayor smoking crack cocaine. This story gained international attention while even drawing on the Mayor for comic relief. American newspaper, The Wall Street Journal, along with Canadian newspapers, The Globe and Mail and Toronto Sun each have a unique target audience whom they are writing for. As a result of the intended audience each newspaper includes diction and style relevant for the target audience.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article, “‘Ford Nation’ Sticks by Toronto Mayor, So Far”, written by Ben Dummett, summarizes the current Rob Ford situation starting from when he admitted to smoking crack and the repercussions of these actions. Dummett gives background information on the City of Toronto, Ford’s supporters, and political career including highlights of Fords political gains such as ending vehicle-registration tax and curbing spending and taxes through such programs as garbage collection privatization. Dummett also discusses the public’s decline in support for Ford and the backlash from councilors at city hall.
WSJ is typically targeted toward middle age professionals making six figures a year, executive business management professionals, along with recent college and university graduates (MediaMetrix). The diction used is clear, formal, and avoids slang. The article incorporates language, which an educated, business professional would be more inclined to use in comparison to the language an uneducated, low-income individual would choose. For example the article begins with, “Ford’s admission that he had smoked crack cocaine unleashed a firestorm of criticism and led Toro...
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...prepared to soldier on as the city’s “lone wolf” mayor”. This quote depicts the type of language used, which is not formal, or shows a high level of professionalism. As a result of the commonly used diction this article is directed at everyone, yet mostly individuals that would pick up the Sun are not the top management executives or the cities top earners whom are looking for a unique and well throughout argument. Rather individuals whom are looking for an easy read possibly on the bus or subway after work.
Rob Ford has been the center of scandal, while newspapers and media networks around the world have reported on the Toronto Mayors less then professional actions in the public eye. Newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal, The Globe and Mail and the Toronto Sun have reported on the story while during style and diction which reflect their target audiences.
The article was written a couple years before Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister. The Author focuses on Justin’s liberal attitudes, especially regarding a hot topic such as the legalization of marijuana. He comes across as a “hero for the people” type of politician. The author of the article skims over a variety of topics concerning what Justin spoke of in Calgary. It is a very short story, but I think that the writer got his point across on the subject of Trudeau’s progressive views, mainly when it comes to marijuana.
The municipal system experienced a steady growth for several decades following the establishment of responsible municipal government in Ontario with the Baldwin Act of 1849 (Frisken 30). International interest was generated in 1954 with the creation of Metropolitan Toronto, the first major structural change in the system. Yet, it was not until’ 1967 that the Ontario Committee on Taxation recommended that the rest of Ontario be restructured in regional governments similar to the structure of Metropolitan Toronto (Frisken 30). As a result of the recommendation was the creation of ten regional...
Buzz Bissinger’s A Prayer for the City discussed many issues that impacted cities around the nation, but more specifically the problems of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia has had an illustrious history as an American city- the Declaration of Independence was signed there, it was one of America 's first cities, and currently it has the fifth largest population of any city. When Rendell took office as mayor, he faced a multitude of issues. Some of these issues were “immediate crises” that he believed may go away by some miracle, others would require much more work and seemed to be nearly impossible tasks. Among the problems for Philadelphia were crippling unemployment, crime, and race relations within the
The years following the Second World War were bleak in regards to Canada's future as a country, with the public and politicians alike set against each other, but soon a Québec man by the name of René Lévesque entered journalism, and then politics, voicing his views for all to hear, with great success and vigour. Though obstacles presented themselves often in his life, he changed the views of Québec, Canada and the world as a whole. René Lévesque was a passionate and charismatic politician who greatly contributed to post-war Québec and even today through his beliefs in separatism, founding the Parti Québecois and passing Bill 101.
Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson was a prominent figure in Canada in the 1960s. Pearson was Canada's most significant post WWII prime minister because of his government's many innovations that still benefit Canadians today. He fostered Canadian nationalism, which continues to the present day, promoted equality throughout Canada – equality that now thrives as part of Canada's identity – and he introduced many social services that are still implemented today.
The love of a father is as powerful as to leave a mark on not just the child, but also every witness to this passionate paternal love. The loss of a father is indescribably difficult, but when that father has raised his nation with the same love he gave his sons, the grief is shared by the entire country. Justin Trudeau’s eulogy for his father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, delivered in October 2000, encapsulates the former Prime Minister’s devotion to Canada and influence on its society, and transforms his legacy into a plow, tilling the fields of Canadian hearts so that he may plant the inspired seeds of continued political change -- a revolution of love. As he develops each aspect of his moving speech, Justin Trudeau uses various rhetorical and
Royko’s representation of Richard J. Daley provides his readers an impartial glimpse into the obscure life of a true political power. Daley’s genius in gaining control as mayor of Chicago and then sustaining it from 1955 to 1976 characterizes his tenacity as politician. His explicit understanding of machine politics and use of patronage centralized the power of his administration. On one hand his constituents admire him for his contribution toward urban expansion, influence on the Democratic Party, and patronage of friends and family. On the other hand he is resented for his destruction of homes in the name of progress, corruption of local government, and absolute rule over his city. Royko concludes his colorful story on Richard Daley in quoting Alderman Paddy Bauler in his statement after Daley was first elected in 1995 as saying ” Chicago ain’t ready for reform yet, “(214). Royko completes Bauler’s statement as saying " And in 1970, ready or not, it wasn’t getting any.”(214)!
Taras, D. (2001). Power and betrayal in the Canadian media (2nd ed.) Peterborough, ON:Broadview Press.
Regionalism is a political ideology based on a collective sense of place or attachment, and is discussed in terms of Canadian society, culture, economy and politics (Westfall, 3). Canada is known internationally as a nation incorporating several multiregional interests and identities into its unification of culture. Its diverse population is comprised of numerous ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations and traditions; and all resides under one federal government. Ever since the founding of Canada, it has developed into regional cleavages and identities, based on various geographical topologies, lifestyles and economic interests (Westfall, 6). It is these characteristics which make it problematic for the federal government to represent all demands of its people on a national level. Regionalism is thus an issue within regards to political proficiency in the Federal government.
Gonzo journalism tends to favor style over accuracy and often uses personal experiences and emotions to provide context for the topic or event being covered. It disregards the 'polishe...
Theses and Professional Projects from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Paper 2. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/journalismdiss/2
The “Darth Vader” mayors are an example of the use of systemic power. Instead of focusing more on those who consume, the mayors are pressured by the system and society to focus on those who produce. This inhibits the minority mayor from addressing the issues that he was initially elected to solve.
In “Reporting the News” by George C. Edwards III, Martin P. Wattenberg, and Robert L. Lineberry, the main idea is how the media determines what to air, where to get said stories that will air, how the media presents the news, and the medias effect on the general public. “Reporting The News” is a very strong and detailed article. The authors’ purpose is to inform the readers of what goes on in the news media. This can be inferred by the authors’ tone. The authors’ overall tone is critical of the topics that are covered. The tone can be determined by the authors’ strong use of transitions, specific examples, and phrases or words that indicate analysis. To summarize, first, the authors’ indicate that the media chooses its stories that will air
Canada is internationally renowned for its commitment to multiculturalism. In fact, Canada was the first nation to officially adopt a multicultural policy. However, while the Canadian government has developed a broad-based multicultural mandate that includes a national human rights code and increased penalties for hate-motivated crimes, and most Canadians oppose overt forms of discrimination and hate, racism continues to exist in Canadian society, albeit in a subtle fashion.
The cover of this issue highlighted six articles including: “Why Charlie Brown Was So Sad”, explaining that every bitter memory of author Charles Schulz’s long life made its way into “Peanuts”, “Coffee $130/LB.” introducing a new café, Manic Coffee, in Toronto that sells $15 cups of coffee, “Will Your Child’s Concussions Make Him Dangerous?”, the health article earlier discussed, “Stephen Colbert’s Secret Agenda”, reviewing the Comedy Central network’s show, The Colbert Report, “Harper to Dion: Make my Day”, about Stephen Harper issuing a “fish or cut bait” ultimatum and most prominently, “Are We Becoming a Nation of Bigots”, discussing Canada’s current level of toleration towards the multi-cultural country.