Toronto mayor, David Miller, may have landed himself in some hot water over what might be considered a 140-character “anti-media” missive. Miller, who is well known for his tweets, posted an angry tweet one long-time online observer described as “troll” like. The reaction to the tweet was swift, with many of the Mayor’s followers immediately re-tweeting his sentiment. Here is the 26 word tweet:
“Got a tweet re Globe. She’s wrong. Too busy sneering to check facts, I guess. No wonder people have such a low opinion of the media.”
The problem is, the Mayor provided no context for this little burst of angry. There are two columns in this morning’s Globe and Mail which could have easily provoked this response.
The first is a misinformed rant against Twitter by Margaret Wente (indecently, also the talk of the Twitter this AM) and the second, and in my estimation the more likely offender, a Christie Blachford column questioning the Mayor’s spending.
A small selected response from those watching:
From @andrewGorham (A G&M reporter/editor):
@mayormiller People have a low opinion of media? Sez who? A politician? That’s rich.
@mayormiller From a 2007, Mr. Mayor. Oh my, “local politicians” didn’t fare well, did they? 2 ahead of car salesman. http://tiny.cc/cVINS
@mayormiller Mr. Mayor – there’s a bit of confusion about the Globe article you’re referencing. Could you clarify for us? Thanks!
@mayormiller I haven’t read whatever it is you’re referring to, but that’s a pretty broad generalization about public perceptions of media.
The tweet even provoked long time politico and Chair of the Canadian Council of Public Relations Firms @thornley (Joe Thornley) to ask:
@mayormiller Is this the actual Mayor tweeting or one or more staff members using his name?
Update:
Mayor Miller responds: he was talking about Blachford’s spending article, not Peggy Wente.
To media types: Blatch column was factually false. You can look it up in, oh, 15 seconds. Expenses of my office (ie my staff) are not me. Duh.
