Halifax Media Co-op
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May's Tide Is In!
Blog posts reflect the views of their authors.
The Haliax Media Co-op prints the Tide and distributes it for free around Halifax once a month.
May's Tide features stories on shale gas exploration in Nova Scotia, the stigma of mental illness and much more!
Pick up a Tide at your neighbourhood community space (let us know if you can't find it!) or download it here!
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Comments
Great front page story,
Submitted by Christopher Cohoon (not verified) on Tue, 05/10/2011 - 00:40.
Great front page story, Hillary. Thanks for reporting on this super-important issue!
what the frack?
Submitted by Elise Graham (not verified) on Tue, 05/10/2011 - 09:54.
This week the front page of the Tide there is a photograph of anti-fracking protestors and the sign, "FRACKING IS SUPER LAME". While I understand that this was documentary photograph of what actually happened at this rally, I find the choice of placing this photograph in the Tide to be extremely problematic. Using the word lame is ableist and condescending towards folks with physical disabilities. I know that this attitude is not something the Media Coop wants to promote and I am disappointed that this is the second example of poor language choice found in the Tide within the recent past. I know you can do better than that.
Language
Submitted by Christopher Cohoon (not verified) on Tue, 05/10/2011 - 18:16.
Elise,
Your criticism points out an oversight at the editorial level of the Tide. This is helpful. Thank you. I would like to suggest, though, that the tone of your criticism is sharp to the point of unfairness. If the underlying principle of your criticism is that we should take care to ensure that our language is compassionate and sensitive to others, then you have caught yourself in a contradiction. (One might even argue that the same prejudice you seek to contest is in fact lurking in your own remarks: folks with disabilities should be spared “condescending” language, but hardcore activist-writers can handle it – “I know you can do better than that” counts as condescending in my books.) In any case, as you likely know, the writers and editors at the Tide do not get paid for their work, and this work has the laudable aim of educating people about and drawing attention to important social and environmental issues in Nova Scotia. Should we not therefore be gentle with these volunteers when they slip up? Should not every criticism be accompanied by gratitude or at least a touch of humour?
Thanks, Chris
How dare she not be properly
Submitted by Tobin (not verified) on Thu, 05/12/2011 - 08:18.
How dare she not be properly deferential to the good work of the media coop... Who does she think she is... a reader? Holy fuck, why can't people accept criticism and move on. Criticism is good and should be encouraged not attacked for not being funny or cutting. Attacking people who find fault with the Tide (Use of the word bitch <that wouldn't even make it into the herald> and putting a photo of the word lame on the cover) helps no one. The fact that a supposed curt tone and oppressive language are conflated in this response is frankly disturbing. Makes me think the next time someone wants to take the time to critique the media co-op for something constructive they will say why bother. Criticism, for the media co-op's sake should not be discouraged. The Media coop does great work, and sometimes it makes mistakes. Accept it and move on
Elise's comment was posted
Submitted by JustinL on Thu, 05/12/2011 - 11:12.
Elise's comment was posted on our listserv, at which point we had a lengthy discussion about her criticism and thought it was valid. We'll be printing the comment in the next edition of the Tide.
And I don't think there was ever a sentiment that folks shouldn't critcize the Tide, it should just be kept in mind that we on the editorial collective (along with Jonathon, the designer) put a tremendous amount of work in on laying out the Tide, and we're bound to overlook some things. That's why our readership is so important, because they can alert us to those sorts of things.
There's really no need to be fractious about this. We recognize that we used a picture that contained objectionable language, we'll be publishing the criticism as a result. There's nothing productive to be gained by sniping at anyone. If there's an issue either with our editorial decisions or with another member of the coop, I invite you to come to our weekly meeting and discuss it there or to send one of us an email.
Again, I'm sorry this debate even needed to take place, although I think it's a very educational one. But keep in mind that it spawned our of no malice or willful ignorance, but simply our of oversight.
Thanks
Justin
The site for the Halifax local of The Media Co-op has been archived and will no longer be updated. Please visit the main Media Co-op website to learn more about the organization.