This weekend’s protest in Ottawa will serve as the perfect case study for Journalism teachers discussing media slant for years to come.
Depending on which news outlet one turned to, there were reports of 50,000 truckers rolling into Canada’s capital to peacefully protest unjust COVID-19 restrictions. The result of these truckers taking a stand were empty grocery shelves from coast-to-coast, which are to be blamed on the politicians in charge of running the country.
Pick up another newspaper or click to another site and there’d be images of protestors waving Nazi and Confederate flags, people dancing on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a Terry Fox memorial made to hold an upside down Canadian flag as well as people proudly displaying anti-transgender signs. Then there were stories of staff at a homeless shelter known as Shepherds of Good Hope being harassed by protestors demanding food intended for the homeless.
For outlets or politicians that have a following to appease, there was no shortage of opportunities to spin the narrative their way.
Some angles are easy to separate fact from fiction, such as the case of the size of the protest. Pinning down an exact number is impossible but we do know there weren’t 50,000 trucks plus even more supporters in personal vehicles parked outside of Parliament this weekend. Estimates vary but about 10,000 participants total is generally accepted as accurate from those with no reason to fudge the numbers. We also know that images circulated of empty grocery stores are purposely misleading as well, many being proven to not only be several years old, but not even originating in Canada. Others were very small sections of a display case taken during last week’s snowstorm when shipments were delayed due to weather. A simple trip to a nearby grocery store will give a more accurate portrayal of the current food supply chain.
Where things get murkier is when it comes to accurately reflecting the overall scene of the protest. There’s no denying some people at the event flew the Swastika proudly this weekend. A large group of people disrespected the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, prompting the Royal Canadian Legion to issue a statement condemning these actions and reminding people this site stands for those who lost their lives fighting for the right for people to protest peacefully and respectfully. More than a few people brandished flags or signs calling for violence towards the prime minister.
But that certainly wasn’t the actions of everybody at the rally either as police have said (as of Monday) the protest has been ‘largely peaceful’, though downtown businesses and schools have remained closed while trucks continue to block several main roads into the city.
Canadians certainly have the right to protest but there’s a certain irony in those saying they’re protesting to have their freedoms restored while simultaneously infringing on the freedoms of those who live and work in downtown Ottawa. There’s also no obligation on the part of the government to reverse mandates simply because a group of people don’t agree with them. Canada is built on democracy and elections, not threats and intimidation. No matter what side of matter one falls on, this fact remains.
-Adam Prudhomme