It seems the Harper government鈥檚 idea of freedom of the press is to take news content for free and use it for political purposes.
Apparently, the Conservatives are proposing to change sa国际传媒鈥檚 copyright law to permit politicians and political parties to use news articles, film footage and other journalistic material for campaign spots and attack ads without getting permission from those who own the content.
Citing a cabinet memo, CTV News and CBC News both report that Heritage sa国际传媒 has proposed a new 鈥渃opyright exception for political advertising鈥� that would form part of a budget implementation bill. In Thursday鈥檚 question period, Heritage Minister Shelley Glover would neither confirm nor deny the report, but hinted that it was under consideration.
The proposed measure 鈥渨ould allow free use of 鈥榥ews鈥� content in political advertisements intended to promote or oppose a politician or political party, or a position on a related issue,鈥� and would be available for use by 鈥減ublicly elected officials, party leaders and those who intend to seek such positions鈥� as well as political parties.
The memo warns of potential backlash, noting that 鈥渃reators of news 鈥� and 鈥榥ews鈥� photographers will complain that their material is being unfairly targeted for the benefit of political parties.鈥�
No kidding! This proposal is so wrong on so many levels, it鈥檚 downright frightening that a government in a modern democracy would even consider it. What arrogant mindset makes the Conservatives think they are entitled to grab the intellectual property of others? Would they take an artist鈥檚 painting without permission to use in political advertising? Would they use a Gordon Lightfoot song for political commercials? Would they help themselves to a grocery store鈥檚 contents to feed campaign workers?
If the Conservatives have no thought for their own integrity, what about journalistic integrity? This is a measure that would turn news into propaganda, twist facts without regard to truth.
Journalism strives 鈥� with varying degrees of success, admittedly 鈥� to be neutral, fair and accurate. Political parties operate under no such constraints. This is a shotgun marriage that should not be allowed to any degree, under any circumstances.
It鈥檚 a concept that could 鈥� and should 鈥� blow up in the Conservatives鈥� faces. The public will see it for what it is 鈥� cynical, manipulative, partisan and unethical.
If Prime Minister Stephen Harper has any regard for decency and the public good, he will kill this idea in its infancy. And spare himself another Supreme Court defeat, for the high court would not likely countenance such an infringement of a basic democratic principle.
