The hot breath of the news media

Pack journalism is apparently getting to be a little too much for the premier of Ontario. Dalton McGuinty Wednesday, Feb. 11 implored reporters and camera people at the Ontario Legislature to stand at least five feet back from him while scrumming. For non-Canadians, scrum is our word for those scenes in which the politician is tracked down in public and surrounded by press folks while taking questions. One Washington reporter of our acquaintance said these are called availabilities in the U.S. capital. That's a nice corporate term but we like scrum better. It sounds kind of sweaty and close and borderline dangerous, which is what accountability is usually like. Guess that was the problem in Toronto. It shouldn't long before the media handlers for other premiers, MLAs, mayors, aldermen, businessmen, lawyers, labour leaders and celebrities start getting standoffish as well. Too bad.