Are you part of The Tyee's critical 1%?

Thanks for reading The Tyee today — we hope this article added to your day in some way. Our team of independent journalists takes pride in doing in-depth reporting and taking time to get it right.

We're able to focus our attention on publishing impactful journalism in the public interest, and publish it for free for all to read, because we have the support of Tyee Builders. Tyee Builders are readers who contribute a bit of money — at a level and frequency of their choice — to support our editorial budget.

This core of supporters — making up about 1 to 2 per cent of our daily readership — enables us to pay our writers, keep our articles free and open to all, and not bombard our readers with annoying ads while you try to read.

Instead of focusing on what kind of articles will attract the most advertising dollars, we can spend time devoted to researching and writing stories that our readers find most valuable and make the most positive impact in our region.

If you'd like to join thousands of readers who help make independent journalism possible, consider joining Tyee Builders. Thank you.

— Jeanette Ageson, Publisher

Click here to Join Tyee Builders

Help us un-break journalism in Canada

You made it all the way through the article — I hope that means you liked it (or if not ‘liked’ it, gleaned some useful information from it). Tyee articles are known for being quite lengthy, so we appreciate when people spend some quality time with our work.

Listen, I’ll get to the point — the article you just read was made possible because our non-profit newsroom was able to pay a talented journalist to research and write it. And we can only afford to do that because of our business model, which relies on a certain percentage of our readers signing up for our paid membership program called Tyee Builders.

The traditional business model for journalism in Canada has been completely disrupted, and we’re witnessing a slow collapse as corporate newsrooms buy up distressed publications, lay people off, and suck the value out of them before declaring bankruptcy. And it doesn’t help that tech giant Meta has blocked Canadian news on their Facebook and Instagram platforms.

There is another way and we are carving the path.

Between 1 to 2 per cent of people who visit The Tyee contribute financially, but amazingly, that small percentage is enough to fund half of our overall budget. And it means we can operate without a paywall, too. 1 per cent of people giving means 99 per cent of people get access to quality, fact-based journalism from a talented team of journalists who live and work in B.C., Alberta, and across Canada. We think that’s pretty remarkable.

If you’re concerned about the way journalism is heading in Canada and you’d like to do something about it, consider joining Tyee Builders and contributing an amount that works for you.

— Jeanette Ageson, Publisher

Click here to Join Tyee Builders
Marking 20 years
of bold journalism,
reader supported.
support us subscribe free
Opinion
Politics
Media

Please Advise! How Did Tucker Carlson Get Himself Fired?

So the chief arsonist was tossed onto the sacrificial bonfire. Did Fox give the devil his due?

Steve Burgess 24 Apr 2023TheTyee.ca

Steve Burgess writes about politics and culture for The Tyee. Read his previous articles.
TuckerCarlsonMic.jpg
Who’s laughing now? That’s what Carlson gets for messing with the beaver. Photo by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia.

[Editor’s note: Steve Burgess is an accredited spin doctor with a PhD in Centrifugal Rhetoric from the University of SASE, situated on the lovely campus of PO Box 7650, Cayman Islands. In this space he dispenses PR advice to politicians, the rich and famous, the troubled and well-heeled, the wealthy and gullible.]

Dear Dr. Steve,

Tucker Carlson is out at Fox News. Don Lemon has also been fired at CNN. Are you surprised?

Signed,

Cable Guy

Dear CG,

Dr. Steve will not pretend he saw this coming. How did Tucker Carlson, Fox's star arsonist, meet his demise? Theory number one: Someone dropped the One Ring into Mount Doom. Theory number two: Someone splashed water on him. Theory number three: Carlson watched Logan Roy die on Succession, was overheard saying “It's about time that old asshole kicked the bucket,” and word went up the line to Rupert. Theory number four: Like Samson's hair, Carlson's mystical power was in his bow ties. His switch to mainstream neckwear was the beginning of the end. Theory number five: He was taken down by the sinister forces of the Canadian totalitarian regime.

Carlson had recently promoted an upcoming documentary about the socialist hellscape that is Canada. Big mistake. Mess with the beaver, you get the teeth. An army of giant ninja rodents chewing through TV cables — Fox could not risk it. Carlson had to be sacrificed.

There is of course the theory that Carlson's fate was sealed by the release of private messages months ago in which he expressed dislike and disdain for the Republican Jesus, Donald J. Trump. Excommunication now results. At Fox, the revelation that one's private opinions reveal a shred of decency and common sense must surely be fatal.

At any rate, Carlson is now a free agent. He's available for weddings, birthday parties, cross burnings, insurrections, Stolichnaya tastings, etc. Call for rates.

As a guy who has been a major cheerleader for the Russian president, Carlson is lucky. Most Vladimir Putin fans who fall from grace also fall from windows. Perhaps Carlson will land a nice prime time gig on Russia Today, or maybe just a guest slot with the Bolshoi. Worst case scenario: the Bakhmut front.

As for Don Lemon, he won't be getting any Russian offers. The timing of the CNN host's firing, so soon after the announcement of Carlson's termination looks odd. It's like some sort of weird prisoner swap. Maybe Fox and CNN are about to sign a peace accord and launch a joint attack on MSNBC.

Lemon's firing comes after controversial remarks he made about Republican candidate Nikki Haley. The question is, why would Fox dump Carlson? It's a big hit to take for the popular fabulist channel. Carlson's show was huge, the ratings leader among Americans who respond to unexpected doorbells with gunfire. Other hosts like Maria Bartiromo were more deeply implicated in the Dominion Voting Systems fiasco, so why should Carlson be the one to go? Was it part of the Dominion settlement? $787.5 million and a coupon for one free scapegoat? Or did Sean Hannity really want that choice parking spot?

Fox News has slung a lot of bullshit over the years. But perhaps Carlson's departure could mean the start of a remake for Fox — the beginning of a turn toward rational, respectful, truthful, balanced coverage.

See? Dr. Steve can sling ridiculous bullshit too. Coming soon to Carlson's prime time slot: The Marjorie Taylor Greene Variety Hour, with special guests Steve Bannon and the Space Laserettes.

As for Tucker Carlson, he'll land on his hooves. Maybe somebody will license that Canadian documentary. Give Pierre Poilievre a call. [Tyee]

Read more: Politics, Media

  • Share:

Facts matter. Get The Tyee's in-depth journalism delivered to your inbox for free

Tyee Commenting Guidelines

Comments that violate guidelines risk being deleted, and violations may result in a temporary or permanent user ban. Maintain the spirit of good conversation to stay in the discussion and be patient with moderators. Comments are reviewed regularly but not in real time.

Do:

  • Be thoughtful about how your words may affect the communities you are addressing. Language matters
  • Keep comments under 250 words
  • Challenge arguments, not commenters
  • Flag trolls and guideline violations
  • Treat all with respect and curiosity, learn from differences of opinion
  • Verify facts, debunk rumours, point out logical fallacies
  • Add context and background
  • Note typos and reporting blind spots
  • Stay on topic

Do not:

  • Use sexist, classist, racist, homophobic or transphobic language
  • Ridicule, misgender, bully, threaten, name call, troll or wish harm on others or justify violence
  • Personally attack authors, contributors or members of the general public
  • Spread misinformation or perpetuate conspiracies
  • Libel, defame or publish falsehoods
  • Attempt to guess other commenters’ real-life identities
  • Post links without providing context

LATEST STORIES

The Barometer

Do You Have a Special Story to Share from Your Own Backyard?

Take this week's poll