MarkOttawa - not sure what your point is in posting these articles. Pls explain.
George Wallace - I believe that the media have the responsibility to both inform and (as you would put it) 'incite'. That's what editorials are - opinions intended to sway public opinion. That's why the print media have columnists - to present opinions, often strong ones - for and against. Letters to the editor are often 'incitement' for or against.
What is important is that the two functions are kept as separate as possible. Having worked (briefly) as a reporter, objectivity is indeed the goal in the mainstream media's newsrooms, but is very difficult to hit across the board. Once you move to the editorial page however, objectivity can fly out the window, because it is all opinion.
Moreover, just because a reporter writes a story showing the CF in a bad light does not always or automatically mean that they are 'anti-military' or 'left-wing'. I find it sad to say, but the exposure of the Somalia scandal years ago probably resulted in the revitalization of the CF. The problems, so apparent to so many of us at the time - careerism, coverups, nepotism, etc - could no longer be ignored. The CF is a much better, a much more professional organization now than it was then. In another light, a reporter who writes about systemic waste in DND could actually be doing the worker-bee-level soldier a favour; if that waste was cut off, hopefully the money could be redirected to something important.
None of this justifies the release of information that will have an impact on operations or put our troops in danger. That's cast in concrete. But much of what is written, even if we find it annoying, will not effect OPSEC at all.
Next point - I think we can all remember people in our careers whom we would have loved to have had under the microscope, but (speaking just for myself) if I am doing a good job, I have no objection to somebody saying that. OPSEC aside, what am I trying to hide and why? If I am doing a bad job on the other hand, what would be even more objectionable would be my inefficiency being tolerated or covered up or hidden.
One last, key point - in this democratic system, flawed and inefficient as it may be, it is public money being spent. The Army works for and represents the citizens. Barring OPSEC implications, they have the right to know what their employees are doing with their money. In this society, the way the public is informed is through the media.
So, no, I do not think the media are Canada's fifth column. Being ignorant, they are easily swayed and often make silly mistakes, but few are malevolent and most really on our side. If you want to find real enemies,real threats, try looking at who is trying to use the media, and for what purposes.
