• @sbv@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    311 months ago

    I dislike this kind of story. It feels like gotcha journalism.

    Oliphant will probably receive some kind of rebuke because he didn’t tow the party line. That will encourage politicians to keep quiet and stick to talking points, for fear that they’ll be outed for having an opinion. Even when talking in private.

    That polarizes politics further, and gives party leaders even more power, because they get to decide on the messaging and the punishment for detractors.

    There may be public value in showing that there are internal divisions within the Liberal party, but we knew that already.

    Having said that, recorded conversations and airing internal grievances is appropriate in situations where there is wrongdoing, or it shows something we don’t already know.