In a recent article for rabble.ca, veteran CBC journalist Ira Basen declares Prime Minister Stephen Harper victorious in taking down the Ottawa press gallery. Since Harper took office last February, Basen says Harper “has been poking the Ottawa press gallery with a sharp stick, hoping to provoke it into striking back.” On May 23, journalists did. Two dozen reporters walked out of a press conference when Harper refused to answer questions from anyone not on his pre-approved list. Basen goes on to outline the ways in which Harper has fought and won the battle over controlling press coverage of his government. With the press gallery now in “tatters,” Basen concludes that the consequences of Harper’s victory are “disturbing.”