Fear and Loathing in Hants County

As a rival reporter to Halifax's Chronicle Herald, I've long had a Sharks/Jets-style rivalry with the paper, complete with stabbings and finger snaps.

But I couldn't help but feel sympathy for the Herald after they released their discreetly-titled video and print feature Nova Scotia Burning!!! (exclamation marks inferred by them but added by me).

Despite exclusive interviews and top level production value around a national story, reaction was overwhelmingly negative. Pushed onto the defensive, the Herald began a spirited defence of the importance of the feature.

I decided to write a thoughtful analysis of the situation to illuminate the difficulties in reporting on racial issues. Then I changed my mind and decided to write a one-act play instead. I hereby present to you - The People vs. The Chronicle Herald; Requiem.

Scene: The Chronicle Herald and Joe Public meet in some sort of dramatic setting.

Chronicle Herald: Hey, what's wrong with you? Why won't you watch my new feature, Nova Scotia Burning?

Joe Public: Well I already followed the whole thing when the story was actually happening. I'm kind of sick of hearing about it.

CH: Spoken like a true racist! Don't you realize that prejudice thrives in silence and procreates in apathy? If we don't shed light on this important issue then it'll just breed more hatred.

JP: But, the story was covered to death. Everyone reported on it. Everyone!

CH: Well, our coverage proves that racism still exists in Nova Scotia.

JP: Yeah, but everyone knows there's still racism. Everyone! Even the racists!

CH: Yes, but Nova Scotia Burning shows how racism permeates every seam of our society.

JP: Really? Because it seems like a very specific, personal feud between relatives? Where's the universality in that?

CH: Look, you pansy, hide from it all you want but we're bringing you a big blast of truth. People in this province have to live with racism every day.

JP: So why not do a feature on that?

CH: ...come again?

JP: If you're going to do a big tell-all on a major story, then fine. If you're going to do an in-depth examination of large-scale race relations, then fine. But don't do one and then claim you're doing the other.

CH: Look, we're the newspaper of record. With great circulation comes great responsibility, and it's incumbent on us to delve into the tough issues. We're not going to just give you that shallow, ambulance-chasing daily hackery. We stand back and provide a mature appreciation of nuanced real world issues.

JP: I see. And what's it called again?

CH: Nova Scotia Burning.

JP: Ah, right.

CH: And be sure to stay tuned for our next racism exposés: Schindler's Bluenose...

JP: Oh sweet Jesus.

CH: The Green Kilometre...

JP: This is embarrassing.

CH: To Disproportionately Pull Over a Mocking Bird...

JP: Please stop.

CH: Africville History X...

JP: Look, I'm tired of being talked down to and told I need to learn every detail of a stupid action by a couple of hicks in order to confront racism. I'm tired of being accused of burying my head in the sand or told I "fear stirring up old resentments" when I say I'm not interested. I'm sick of hearing about the goddamn cross burning. I don't care if you try to dress it up with a reference to The Believer. I'm just sick of it.

CH: Was that the one with Ryan Gosling?

JP: Yeah, it's really good.

CH: You know, I saw that on Showcase a while back. That is an underrated movie.

JP: A great performance.

CH: Oh, absolutely stellar.

JP: So, if it's all cool with you, I'm just going to go on living my life exactly the same as before I saw your feature.

CH: YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!

JP: See, that's exactly what I'm talking about.

CH: Sorry. That's just a line from our upcoming news feature, A Few Good Maritimers.

Paul Haggis: Excuse me is this the Chronicle Herald? I saw your piece and I'd like to drop off a resume.

Fin.

OK, so it's easy to make fun of the Herald for their occassional tendency to slip into pompousness, but they do deserve some praise.

While the headline was over the top, the stories themselves were done in a thorough, respectful tone. They provided an exclusive look at the Rehbergs, and it really did look professional. (Director Jayson Taylor jumped to the Herald last fall from the Globe and Mail, where he was highly acclaimed. Dude's won one or two Emmy Awards. He clearly knows his stuff.) The people involved in the feature have every right to be proud of their work.

The reason some of us rolled our eyes is the context. There are a lot of issues that deserved as much or more attention but didn't get it. It was hard not to be frustrated that this is where the Herald chose to flex its muscle and splurge on a level of detail and production value normally reserved for whenever Sidney Crosby burps.

But while it seems egregious as a stand-alone, as part of a bigger series of in-depth think pieces it could fit in nicely. That's exactly what the Herald has promised it is going to do.

So, fellow scoffers, I propose we give the Herald the benefit of the doubt. Nova Scotia Burning may go down as a leap into enterprise reporting and the first step in the Herald upping its game.

And if not, at least we'll have the inevitable motion picture adaption directed by Paul Haggis.