Let me die...while I'm touching tomorrow...

[dewline]

Thanks and apologies to David Bowie for that.

Anyway.

On Friday, I found myself watching Atlantis' final launch - the final launch of any of the US space shuttle fleet on CNN.

The question "Why did this happen when Canada has a perfectly good homegrown news channel or two?" likely comes to a few minds reading this. I'll plead guilty right off to pro-CBC bias leading me to not consider CTV's own all-news channel. As for the resulting question, "Why not watch the launch on CBC Newsworld?", the answer is thus:

They were apparently under orders to focus exclusively on the royal newlyweds at the Calgary Stampede Parade at that point. Not even a window at the bottom of the screen in the final minutes of the countdown, it seems.

(Note to all: If I'm remembering these details incorrectly to any extent, then I'd appreciate the correction. Post-haste, please?)

It would be of some use to understand why this decision was made. Because it's something of a disappointment to not have that option available.

(Guessing that I'm never going to be welcome at Monarchist League meetings of any sort after posting this one, hm?)

Comments

[radargrrl.livejournal.com]

I've noticed that news coverage on NewsWorld, or whatever they call it now, has been sadly lacking over the past few years, and it's getting worse. Worse still, it's even starting to affect Mansbridge. I'm starting to pay less attention to the Ceeb for news than I used to do, and it's in favour of the Internet. I just find their coverage of things that ARE important so lacking. The fluff seems to be taking precedence. I never thought I would say that.

So why is this? Is it to do with defunding that we don't know about? Is it Harper's fingers? Possibly a combination of both? It's no secret that Harper would like to Deep Six the entire network completely. It wouldn't surprise me if he's throwing in some nasty behind-the-scenes monkeywrenches.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Mine own suspicion leads me to "combination of the above options". I want to see the Ceeb get past this nonsense at best possible speed, because there's a lot of ground to regain and they're just too darned useful when they're at their best.

[radargrrl.livejournal.com]

A huge clue to the Harper thumb would be the right wing spin I keep feeling from them.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

This from CTV's former bureau chief/sole reporter for Ville de Québec likely echoes some of our shared concerns:

http://kainagata.com/2011/07/08/why-i-quit-my-job/

[radargrrl.livejournal.com]

Lots of good stuff there, including echoes of my own thoughts.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

And that essay's since gotten noticed.