Media Criticism

The third installment of my foreign press coverage this week takes on Canada’s preeminent foreign policy journal Embassy. This weekly publication covers international affairs from the perspective of legislators and experts on Canadian policy in a decidely non-partisan fashion. I reviewed the last few editions of Embassy to find samples that demonstrate this publication’s strong record of analysis.

An article in the February 27th edition discussed a statement by the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister that applauded Pakistan’s recent elections. The editors of Embassy take apart Maxime Bernier’s statement because of the contentious nature of Canadian politics in recent years. The notable exception to the frequent spats between the Liberals and Conservatives is a recent turn toward bipartisanship on the Afghanistan mission. I like how Embassy discusses the mechanics of debate established in Canadian national politics as well as the role of both parties in contributing to a poisoned dialogue that acts as a bad example for nations like Pakistan.

The main reason why I enjoy Embassy over coverage in Canada’s main newspapers is the off-the-wall topics covered in the editorial section. Angelo Persichilli’s editorial on the restrictions on Italian-Canadians running for positions in Italy’s virtual parliament. I remember reading about this unique method of representation months ago but I did not realize that Canada’s national government was playing such a mixed role in another nation’s elections. Persichilli’s advocacy for free campaigning by Canadians running for Italy’s parliament is one example of the unique ideas promoted in Embassy.

I know that there are corollaries to Embassy in the United States including Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs and Wilson Quarterly. The problem is that these publications aren’t released on a weekly basis. There is a gaping hole for a weekly newspaper dealing exclusively with foreign policy in this country. I would advocate for a daily paper on this order but I know that this request would be a bit too much.