Wires Crossed: How the Irving empire jeopardized free press in New Brunswick

Witness to Yesterday (The Champlain Society Podcast on Canadian History)

In this podcast episode, Nicole O’Byrne talks to Julian Walker about his book Wires Crossed: Memoir of a Citizen and Reporter in the Irving Press published by Friesen Press in 2021. Wires Crossed is first and foremost a love letter to the free press. In Julian Walker’s personal memoir as a citizen and reporter, he calls for a healthier New Brunswick free press—one that is more diverse, competitive, independent, and feisty. Through its traditional emulation of KC Irving and his family’s empire, New Brunswick has grown used to one-owner control of two key sectors, the media and large industry. The danger to the New Brunswick free press stems mainly from the wires-crossed relationship between the Irving Press and Irving industry. Walker argues that a strong and independent free press, whether digital or on newsprint, is vital for assuring good government in North America and the survival of liberal democracy itself. Julian holds degrees in politics from Trent University and the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a journalism degree from Carleton University. Along with his extensive experience as a journalist and newspaper editor, Julian has also worked in government, serving as a deputy minister for 10 years in the departments of the Environment, Municipalities, Culture and Housing, and Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs. He remains dedicated to restoring a freer press in New Brunswick and Canada. This podcast was produced by Jessica Schmidt. If you like our work, please consider supporting it: bit.ly/support_WTY. Your support contributes to the Champlain Society’s mission of opening new windows to directly explore and experience Canada’s past.