Jack Webster Award? How about the Hubert Beyer Award: "Read My Lips!!!"

It seems like everyone around here is reading Hubert Beyer, especially the one called:

 When the Press fails to keep its distance from politicians

(Socred Minister Bruce) Strachan referred to press gallery members as servants of the legislature. I've got news for you, Bruce. I'm nobody's servant. Not yours and not the legislature's. - Hubert Beyer

To get a real handle on Hubert Beyer, you have to go to the source of Victoria Reports:

 Read My Lips, Start Acting Like a Premier .....

December 2, 1988 - VICTORIA -- I should really thank Premier Vander Zalm for attributing such great importance to the role of the media, although the context in which he talked about the proverbial power of the press was less than flattering.

The media, the premier said recently, constitute one of the major obstacles to ethical government today.

Leadership today is following the polls, the editorial writers, the columnists, the headline designers and those who rewrite the news stories into sensational messages," he said.

"The role and the power of the media are enormous. The media can make or break a politician, a government or a nation."

Wow, I didn't know I could do all that. But then, neither did Bill Bennett, Vander Zalm's predecessor. When I once ended a chat with him by saying I had to run along because there was a government to destroy, Bennett said, "Hubert, you couldn't destroy the town council of Spuzzum if you tried."

Now that's enough to make any self-respecting political columnist feel inadequate. Compare that to the inspiring words of our current premier who thinks I'm a destroyer of politicians, governments, nations. ......

 

1988

 #4 Grizzlies under siege etc.

1996

 #2  What is the big deal with BC Ferries Losses etc.  

1997

Then there is the Jack Webster Award, starting at the bottom first four years, hard hitting, no intended offense towards the current journalists.

The first four years of the Jack Webster Award:

1987: John Daly : The Clark Winterton Story:
1988: Gary Mason/Vaughn Palmer: The Toigo Affair
1989: Tom Walters: Highway Robbery
1990 Keith Watt: Who Killed Katie Ross?  -
         CBC Radio documentary that featured the story of a Chilcotin Indian woman named Katie Ross
             who was shot in the Chilcotin wilderness.


From the hard work of one, or two journalists together, the winners have mushroomed.  Is it that difficult, now?  New Categories where there are several Jack Webster Awards needed to be given?  Or is there just more corruption, more crimes?  More News?


 The Jack Webster Award Winners Are:

Year     Winners
2014    14    
2013    14      
2012    14      
2011    14      
2010    14      
2009    14      
2008    14      
2007    13      
2006    12      
2005    13      
2004    13      
2003    13      
2002    13      
2001    13      
2000    13      
1999    11      
1998    12      
1997    9      
1996    10      
1995    11      
1994    6      
1993    6      
1992    6      
1991    7      
1990    Keith Watt    Who Killed Katie Ross?    CBC Radio
1989    Tom Walters    Highway Robbery     CKVU
1988    Gary Mason/Vaughn Palmer    The Toigo Affair    Vancouver Sun
1987    John Daly    Clark Winterton Story    BCTV