I sent the following letter to CTV News after they decided to "advertise" an upcoming protest by the Phelp’s Family (they’re are not a church) of Tim McLean’s funeral. The article is basically free advertising and becomes a platform for Phelp’s vile, sinful hatred and is loaded with nasty quotes. The letter speaks for itself. As a former journalist with a degree in English Lit I staunchly oppose most forms of censorship – that being said the CTV article is terribly one-sided and smacks of journalism of the worst kind.

 

=======================

 

Editors,

 

I am very disappointed in CTV for choosing to give voice to hatred by providing Phelp’s Church with free advertising. They are a known fringe group of 70 people who somehow are capable of gaining front page news simply by announcing another hateful protest. As the associate pastor of a loving church congregation I ask you to honestly answer the following question:

 

If our congregation of more than 400 people decided we were going to head to the McLean funeral in a show of loving support and sent out a press release would CTV cover this? No. Why? Not because it lacks news merit but because it is not sensationalist hate-mongering.

 

Once again – very disappointing.