The News Bastards

Author: Bill M.

A small TV hanging in the corner of the hospital waiting room was stuck on CBC.  My mind turned to mush as mindless news reports blasted at me over the airwaves and trivial bits of information "tickered" their way across the bottom of the screen.  The announcer - a pleasant middle-aged lady with a tired look on her face - calmly regurgitated bits of pre-packaged information.

At this point in time, the viewers were being treated to a serious debate concerning the impact and meaning of Nike's new commercial on Tiger Woods' career as well as the sport of golf in general.

...

After years of reading, listening, and watching the world's news unfold online, in the papers, and on TV, I have become more and more jaded every day about the quality of news.  Not only that, but the airwaves and time in a person's home life are valuable resources that are wasted when used to discuss irrelevant issues or analyze a commercial.

I have realized that simply being frustrated with this state of affairs is not going to solve anything.  Unless an alternative is provided then there is no real change.

So, that was it.

That particular day, and that particular piece on CBC was the proverbial straw breaking some four-legged animal's back.  This sudden realization, this break from normalcy, led me to the conclusion that perhaps what I had to say, and what many of us have to say, is more important than what we hear and see on TV.

Specifically, I came to the conclusion that it was high time I threw mine, and my colleagues' hats into this circus of information.  If the CBC prefers to cover inconsequential dramas and nation-wide newspapers have decided not to spell check anymore - then couldn't anyone start up a media outlet?

Thank the human race for the internet, I say.  Praise the invention of the blog.  These tools of mass communication can now be wielded by anyone with an opinion and an internet connection.

So, it's our turn.  The bastards of news have made a leap for the stage.  I have asked several people I know to contribute their opinions, experiences, and ideas to this endeavour.  They are spread out across Canada and have extremely varied points of view and backgrounds.

The site will operate much like a blog, or an amalgamation of blogs.  Whatever the contributors wish to write about - they are permitted to do so.  The only editing that takes place is for spelling and grammar.  I will encourage them to think critically about the status quo and challenge existing norms.  I have also prompted them to be as frank as possible, which at the very least should be entertaining if not informative.

There is no overarching bias to the content provided in this site.  If anything, it would be pro-Canadian and pro-smart-decision-making.

Due to the fact that most of us have full time jobs, we will not be conducting any major investigative journalism.  We will strive to maintain a bi-weekly schedule.  This schedule is by no means set in stone, so I encourage you to subscribe to our email list here.

Should you wish to comment on any of the articles there is space to do so at the bottom of each blog.  If you would like to contribute to this site please send us a request using our contact form located here.

So, instead of flipping on your TV tonight and letting the day's worries slip away in the steady flow of superficial news your brain is normally flooded with - we encourage you to take a look at the alternative.  We encourage our readers to consume something with a little more balance, a few more questions, and much greater relevance to the current state of humanity.

For persistent apathy, chronic boredom and a general lack of interest in society the Surgeon General recommends a bi-weekly dose of a mental salve called:

The News Bastards.