It can be very difficult in a small to medium size community, like Sudbury, for journalists to do their jobs.

There is a tendency to shoot the messenger.

Many politicians, non-profit organizations, and business owners, believe that the news media should promote causes and the community. If reporters ask hard questions, they are seen as negative. Media outlets that do stories that aren't pretty are labelled muckrakers.

My first lesson in journalism is "you can't cover the parade if you are marching in it."

Many politicians want cheerleaders. They avoid, or treat reporters who ask tough questions badly. They don't return phone calls if they know the reporter might ask a question they don't want to answer.

Politicians, their friends, and business groups have other ways to "punish" media outlets.

That's why the CBC is so important. It is not influenced by advertising dollars.