Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
International

Quebec City's Outspoken Talk-Radio Hosts Face Backlash After Mosque Shooting

The Canadian Press, 02 Feb, 2017 12:53 PM
    MONTREAL — In the soul-searching that has followed Sunday's deadly mass shooting at a Quebec City mosque, the city's controversial talk-radio hosts are facing a backlash for allegedly fanning the flames of Islamophobia and intolerance. 
     
    Little is known about what factors may have influenced the person who entered the mosque and shot six people to death.
     
    But that hasn't stopped critics from questioning whether Quebec City's fondness for a brand of American-style conservative talk radio that critics have dubbed "radio poubelle" or "trash radio" may have helped to foster a climate of intolerance where such acts could take place.
     
    The small number of hosts pride themselves on a provocative, anything-goes style whose commentary often targets women's groups, the LGBT community, environmentalists and Muslims, according to Colette Brin of Universite Laval's communications department.
     
    "There's this strong discourse (against) people who they see as wanting to change society, who are asking for special rights," Brin said in a telephone interview. "In the case we're looking at, there's the fear of Islamic terrorism and the generalization that the Muslims' Islamic faith in general is the problem."
     
     
    At a Monday vigil, Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume said he hoped one of the consequences of the tragedy would be a rejection of "those who enrich themselves with hate." 
     
    When asked Wednesday to clarify his comments, Labeaume neither confirmed nor denied he was referring specifically to talk radio.
     
    But in the wake of the tragedy, Labeaume hasn't been the only one questioning the tone of heated public debate on issues such as religious accommodation.
     
    Several speakers at a Montreal vigil on Monday called out politicians and media personalities for fostering divisive debates for their own benefit.
     
    "The business of Islamophobia is very lucrative, and certain will defend it tooth and nail," Asmaa Ibnouzahir said onstage.
     
    Under a barrage of online criticism, some of those hosts have taken to the airwaves to say it's unfair to blame them for the actions of one individual.
     
     
    "We're starting to stir the pot to find someone to hold responsible," Jeff Fillion told a panel discussion on CHOI 98.1. "I find it irresponsible, adolescent."
     
    According to Fillion, there is "only one person responsible, and he's behind bars," he said.
     
    Andre Arthur, the former Independent Quebec MP who Brin describes as the "father" of Quebec's talk radio, also denounced what he called "the wave of self-blame that has hit the province since Sunday night."
     
    "I hope one day we'll have the wisdom to see that mental illness doesn't need to be explained," he said during a segment on his show.
     
    Brin said while hosts such as Fillion and Arthur can be accused of "feeding and lending legitimacy" to existing attitudes, it is unfair to single them out for criticism or imply they bear any responsibility for Sunday's massacre.
     
    Instead, she hopes the tragedy will prompt a wider discussion about responsible public discourse.
     
    "Certain people have responsibilities toward the public in what they say and how they say things," she said. "I think it's a good time to think about the weight of our words and the weight of our attitudes toward other people."

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Officials Say At Least 16 Sickened From Thanksgiving Meal

    Officials Say At Least 16 Sickened From Thanksgiving Meal
    San Francisco Bay Area health officials warned the public Tuesday to throw out any leftovers from a community Thanksgiving meal they suspect sickened at least 16 people, including three who died.

    Officials Say At Least 16 Sickened From Thanksgiving Meal

    PM Narendra Modi Leads Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin In Time's 'Person Of The Year' Poll

    PM Narendra Modi Leads Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin In Time's 'Person Of The Year' Poll
      Time said the reader poll is an "important window" into who they think most shaped 2016.

    PM Narendra Modi Leads Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin In Time's 'Person Of The Year' Poll

    Indian-American Top Real Estate CEO Sandeep Mathrani Might Join Trump Administration

    Indian-American Top Real Estate CEO Sandeep Mathrani Might Join Trump Administration
    Sandeep Mathrani, 54, the Chief Executive Officer of General Growth Properties, met the President-elect at the Trump Towers in New York yesterday.

    Indian-American Top Real Estate CEO Sandeep Mathrani Might Join Trump Administration

    Hijab-Clad Us University Student's Face Struck With Glass Bottle

    Hijab-Clad Us University Student's Face Struck With Glass Bottle
    A Hijab-clad Muslim student was allegedly struck in the face with a glass bottle in broad daylight at a university campus in the US, the latest in a series of hate incidents in which headscarf-wearing women have been targeted following Donald Trump's win.

    Hijab-Clad Us University Student's Face Struck With Glass Bottle

    Imran Khan Denies Accusations Of Money Laundering, Tax Evasion

    The PTI chief said that an advance payment of about Rs. 6.1 million was paid by him and Jemima Khan paid off the rest. Khan said that he has the documents to prove the transaction took place.

    Imran Khan Denies Accusations Of Money Laundering, Tax Evasion

    Newfoundland Teen Sentenced To 18 Months Probation For Circulating Nude Photos Of Schoolmate

    Newfoundland Teen Sentenced To 18 Months Probation For Circulating Nude Photos Of Schoolmate
    Judge Wayne Gorman says the boy asked for the photos, and then showed them to some students before sending them electronically to others.

    Newfoundland Teen Sentenced To 18 Months Probation For Circulating Nude Photos Of Schoolmate