Monday, September 27, 2010

Sue Macleans, THEN Defund Them

"All graphical representations of Bonhomme Carnaval are protected by the intellectual property rights," organizers said in a statement. "The defamatory and unauthorized use of Bonhomme Carnaval is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated."

The carnival has demanded Maclean’s apologize and pull all issues from store shelves. The magazine has refused, and the issue has sold out in many Quebec stores.

More info on the defunding option here. Meanwhile, Wells tries to pretend the article wasn't crap.

And this is a good start at an apology:

While Maclean’s recognizes that Bonhomme is a symbol of the Carnaval, the character is also more widely recognized as a symbol of the province of Quebec. We used Bonhomme as a means of illustrating a story about the province’s political culture, and did not intend to disparage the Carnaval in any way. Maclean’s is a great supporter of both the Carnaval and of Quebec tourism. Our coverage of political issues in the province will do nothing to diminish that support.

But it needs more self-abasement.

7 comments:

Christian said...

While Maclean’s recognizes that Bonhomme is a symbol of the Carnaval, the character is also more widely recognized as a symbol of the province of Quebec.

Yeah, that is why you should not have used it. You are smearing the whole province.

Gerrard787 said...

If one objects to the article, don't buy the magazine.

I hear and see offensive articles on our taxpayer-paid-for CBC quite regularly. Yet I don't whine and say we should sue the CBC or defund it.

Develop a little thicker skin as censorship by withholding subsidies is not legal in Canada.

Christian said...

Hi Paul S. Care to share a couple of examples of the CBC's offensive articles?

And while you may not whine, there are those who do.

Just the facts, please said...

Speaking of Maclean's and Québec, Mark Steyn has had interesting things to say about Montreal 9/11 celebrations:

http://mediaculpapost.blogspot.com/2010/09/macleans-mark-steyn-and-quebec.html

Terrence said...

Wasn't Maclean's a good magazine at one time?

double nickel said...

@Terrance. Yes it was. Until the beancounters took over from the journalists.

Gene Rayburn said...

So Ridofbrain and Paul S have taken time to present us with their usual lack of deep thoughts.

Then again if anyone has ever seen a pic of Bill (ridofbrain), intelligence is not the first thing you think.

I thought his helpers put a cork onto the end of his fork to keep him from hurting himself.