As an avid listener to the CBC’s “Fisheries Broadcast,” I am a little disappointed in the host, John Furlong, and his published opinions on what he considers the future of the fishery and the sealing industry in this province.
First, I want it to be known that I have the greatest respect for Mr. Furlong, especially his professionalism and knowledge of the fishery.
This is not a call for Mr. Furlong’s removal as host, but it is a criticism on his performance not only as host but also of his journalistic opinions in the media over the last couple of months.
Over the past month or so, Mr. Furlong has written articles for the CBC that have been described as pro-fishing companies, pro-government fishing polices, anti-seal hunt and anti-outport Newfoundland and Labrador — and now in his latest article, he seems to defend a federal politician, MP Ryan Cleary, as if he were a close friend or as if Mr. Furlong is NDPer at heart.
Do these allegations have merit?
Well, I guess it depends on how the reader interprets his opinions.
Right to an opinion
Do I want to deny Mr. Furlong’s right to his opinion?
Definitely not.
I served my country for 22 years defending our rights to freedom of speech, etc.
However, as host of a show with a specific subject matter (the fishery) that has greatly diverse viewpoints from five different entities (fishers, fish companies, the union, plant workers, and others that are not directly connected to the fishery but are advocates for one group or another) a host should be impartial and neutral when dealing with matters concerning that specific subject.
Mr. Furlong’s position as host of the “Fisheries Broadcast” is no different than that of political reporters like David Cochrane of CBC or Michael Connors of NTV News.
Keeping personal views to themselves
If Mr. Cochrane or Mr. Connors were to introduce their political beliefs and preferences in their political programming — like Mr. Cochrane’s “On Point,” for example, or their reporting of the political news events of the day, they would lose all creditability and probably their jobs.
Mr. Furlong, like Mr. Cochrane and Mr. Connors, has to toe the line between reporting the news and events so that he doesn’t seem biased to one side of the story or the other.
I believe that the stance taken by Mr. Furlong over the past couple of months has alienated many of his listeners and they are tuning out.
He has estranged many of his regular contributors to the “Fisheries Broadcast” like Gus Etchegary and Dr. Phil Earle because of his actions.
If Mr. Furlong wants to take sides in the fishery debate, then maybe the public would be better served if he were a columnist instead of a host of a specific-subject-orientated show like the “Fisheries Broadcast.”
Real risk
The “Fisheries Broadcast” has iconic status in this province and, whether Mr. Furlong believes it or not, if the fishers of this province don’t tune in, the “Fisheries Broadcast” will be signing off for good.
Brian Pollard writes from Bishop’s Falls.
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
