Does the editorial board of the Winnipeg Free Press think acting as a civic cheerleader is its way into the hearts of readers? In the past three days, we’ve had two editorials come out strongly in support of the Asper Stadium, and one in favour of Swandel’s gondola plan for the University of Manitoba. That’s not to mention columns or actual news coverage, which have definitely tilted in favour of these two projects.
Wasn’t there a time when the editorial page of a major daily would be used to challenge political and business leaders, provoke discussion among power brokers, and provide food for thought for the opinion leaders that actually bothered to read this section? Where’s the critical analysis of these big ideas? Where are the alternative options to consider?
I’m not saying we need someone to automatically dump on every new idea that comes along (Brodbeck fills that role quite nicely), but it would be nice to see a bit more insight and a little less rah-rah from the paper of record.
P.S. — Although it was highly entertaining to read today’s editorial praising Joy Smith for rallying behind the stadium project run on the same page as Smith’s letter to the editor where she backpedals from that position.
