The Big Blue Propaganda Machine

 Jeff Sallot offers some perspective on the Big Blue Propaganda Machine:

How big is the propaganda machine? Well, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation reported last year the government employs no fewer than 3,300 communications staffers whose primary function is to make the government look good. The cost to taxpayers is $263 million a year.

The total number of journalists in the press gallery — your independent watchdogs on government — is less than 300. And no newspaper, television network or other Canadian media outfit has anything like the funds the government has available to manufacture propaganda. With these vast resources, the government had every reason to believe it could pull a fast one . . .

Sallot then goes on to report how the propaganda machine was used against information commissioner Suzanne Legault. But Legault is only the latest target. Think Mike Duffy, think Helena Geurgis, think Patrick Brazeau. And then think about the upcoming election.

The ad wars have begun. And the Conservatives are absolutely convinced that they can pull as fast one.