Doug Ford Grants Interview to Fox News While Snubbing Canadian Media

Doug Ford, avoiding legitimate press, leans on state-funded propaganda outlet

North99 Staff May 1, 2019

On a recent trip to New York, Doug Ford granted an interview to Trump propaganda outlet Fox News while controversy swirled in Ontario about Ford’s treatment of Canadian media.

The controversy began when reporter Cynthia Mulligan pointed out that Ford’s trip included Ontario News Now, the government-funded propaganda outlet setup by Doug Ford when he became Premier.



Cynthia Mulligan
✔@CityCynthia

Your tax dollars paid for a crew to go to New York with the Premier to shoot this #onpoli
Ontario News Now
✔@OntarioNewsNow


During a jam packed two day trip to New York, Premier Ford sent a clear message: Our government is making it easier to do business in Ontario.




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Ford’s Press Secretary took to Twitter to respond, claiming Ford’s team had given numerous media advisories notifying Canadian outlets about the trip.



Ivana Yelich@yelich_ivana



Despite putting out numerous advisories and news releases on Premier @fordnation meeting with some of the biggest companies in America, I received one media request for information regarding his trip. And they wonder why @OntarioNewsNow exists.
Cynthia Mulligan
✔@CityCynthia


Your tax dollars paid for a crew to go to New York with the Premier to shoot this #onpoli https://twitter.com/ontarionewsnow/status/1123257367502708742 …
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Reporters took to Twitter to set the record straight.

Robert Benzie from the Toronto Star pointed out that Ford’s team gave no notice to the media until the night before Ford left.



Robert Benzie
✔@robertbenzie



1. The media were given no notice about the premier’s trip until the night before he and the treasurer jetted to New York.
2. The Star asked about his trade mission yesterday and today.
3. Ontario News Now does video press releases not journalism.
Ivana Yelich@yelich_ivana


Despite putting out numerous advisories and news releases on Premier @fordnation meeting with some of the biggest companies in America, I received one media request for information regarding his trip. And they wonder why @OntarioNewsNow exists. https://twitter.com/citycynthia/status/1123288218424705024 …
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Allison Jones from Canadian Press asked Ford’s office on Friday about their Monday plans. The trip was not mentioned.



Allison Jones
✔@allisonjones_cp



On Friday, CP asked what was on tap for Monday and the premier’s office didn’t bother mentioning this trip.
Ivana Yelich@yelich_ivana


Despite putting out numerous advisories and news releases on Premier @fordnation meeting with some of the biggest companies in America, I received one media request for information regarding his trip. And they wonder why @OntarioNewsNow exists. https://twitter.com/citycynthia/status/1123288218424705024 …
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Other reporters rightly pointed out the absurdity of the situation.



Colin D'Mello CTVNews@ColinDMello



Legitimate journalists were not informed about the Premier’s trip to NYC until 4:03 pm the day before he was scheduled to depart.

Yet, Ontario News Now was given a taxpayer funded assignment to ask the Premier flattering questions. #ONpoli
Ivana Yelich@yelich_ivana


Despite putting out numerous advisories and news releases on Premier @fordnation meeting with some of the biggest companies in America, I received one media request for information regarding his trip. And they wonder why @OntarioNewsNow exists. https://twitter.com/citycynthia/status/1123288218424705024 …
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This follows a similar pattern for how Ford treats the media.

In March Ford pointed out that social media allows him to circumvent journalists and the mainstream media. In a fundraising email in April, Ford attacked the media, claiming that they were “mocking” him and his supporters.

In an echo of comments made by Donald Trump, Ford called the media the official opposition in response to reporters questioning his appointment of close family friend Ron Taverner to head the OPP.

All of this fits a pattern we see across the world from right-wing leaders who disdain and attack the free press in favour of their own state-funded propaganda channels.