CTV’s politico, Mike Duffy, posted this apology on April 21.

“On Friday’s show, I said that Paul Martin’s Ministry of Finance leaked to the Globe and Mail details of the sponsorship scandal in order to force Mr. Chretien out of office. We have no evidence to substantiate that and I apologize.”

                                     …………………………………….

A couple of citizens have filed a suit in New York against CNN claiming that one of its commentators, Jack Cafferty, has insulted the Chinese people.  Earlier, a group of lawyers in Beijing launched a similar suit alleging that Cafferty’s comments offended the dignity and reputation of the Chinese people.

Cafferty said, “the U.S. imported Chinese-made junk with the lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food…They’re basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they’ve been for the last 50 years.”  These are vintage remarks from the acerbic Cafferty, a member of the “best political panel” according to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.  A week ago, pro-Chinese supporters demonstrated outside the Los Angeles bureau of CNN, demanding an apology from Cafferty.  At least they can stage a protest, something they can’t do in China unless it’s in support of the Communist Government.

                                      ……………………………………….

If you think Canada has a problem with media concentration, consider the situation in Italy.  Media magnate and Prime Minister-elect Silvio Berlusconi controls 90 per cent of Italy’s TV audience. Protests were staged across the country including one that drew 45 thousand people.  As one organizer put it, “Imagine if Barack Obama as President was also the owner of Fox, of ABC and other TV networks.”  According to one blogger, there was no television coverage of yesterday’s protests.

                                        ……………………………………….