What Happens When Independent Media Tries To Ask Stephen Harper A Question? Part 2

By: Terry Wilson

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has controlled media with an iron fist since taking office.

Only a handful of PMO selected mainstream reporters are allowed to ask him questions, as long as those questions have been pre-approved of course. The reporters are told when and where they can ask a question and they must not deviate from the “script”. If they do, they lose all access. This level of control displays a totalitarian mindset when it comes to controlling the news narrative.

When independent journalists and reporters attempt to ask real questions, that totalitarian mindset kicks into overdrive!

On Thursday, September 18 2014 Mr. Harper visited the Hamilton area with stops at 40 Creek brewery in Grimsby, and the Warplaine museum. I found out about his first stop at the brewery only an hour before his arrival.

I quickly raced there with little audio equipment and several cell phone camera’s, hoping to get close enough to the prime minister to ask one of many questions that I have for him.

Here is what happened.

I was singled out and given a security detail by the RCMP (because I am a “known person”). While the other onlookers were allowed to be on the same side of the street as the brewery, I was forced to stay on the other side. As the prime minister exited the building, a Niagara police vehicle pulled in front, blocking our vehicle in and obstructing my view.

This is not the first time that I have experienced this kind of a reaction from Harper’s security team. In 2013 we attended an event, hoping to ask questions. The reaction was very similar.

All of this security, treating independent media like a serious security threat. All to protect Mr. Harper from questions. Does that sound like a country that embraces a free and independent press? Or does it sound more like the benign dictatorship that Harper wrote about ending in the 1990′s?