The following piece appeared in the Ottawa Citizen on Dec. 18, 1997.

Your publisher declares "... information is the oxygen of democracy and debate is its respiration." (Dec. 13) He decries our ineffectual Access to Information Law and the problem of "libel chill".

How can anyone disagree? But, how do we square your publishers fine words with the Citizen's coverage of child poverty?

On November 27, Campaign 2000 released statistics on escalating child poverty; since 1989, up roughly 50% in Canada, a 100% in Ontario.

These data were reported by the Globe and Mail - front page highlight and a significant article. The Toronto Star gave the issue a front-page coverage, an editorial and excerpt. National and local radio and television networks covered the data and report.

The Citizen? Not a word. Indeed, to my knowledge, no Southam paper covered the issue.

Is the Citizen uninterested in child poverty? Hardly, based on your op-ed pieces by the Fraser Institute calling child poverty "a myth". You have found room for editorials and Andrew Coyne's opinions in support of the Fraser Institute view.

Oxygen indeed. I need a breath of air.

-------------------------------------

Richard Shillington

Note: I have been subsequently informed that the Vancouver Sun covered the issue. The Ottawa Citizen has still not covered the issue.

Jan. 1, 1998

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