St. Andrews, New Brunswick-based author and former journalist Julian H. Walker describes his new book "Wires Crossed: Memoirs of a Citizen and Journalist in the Irving Press" as "a love letter to the free press." 

In his memoir, which focuses heavily on Walker's time working as a reporter for the Irving-owned Telegraph Journal, Walker details the many times he encountered situations where the Irving-owned papers were unable to report properly on the business dealings of other Irving-owned companies--hense the reference to "wires-crossed" in the title of the memoir.

New Brunswick, notably, has the highest concentration of media ownership in Canada. Up until recently, the Irving family, which is also the largest employer in New Brunswick, also controls the majority of the English language newspapers. New Brunswick has become accustomed to one-owner control of two key sectors, the media and large industry. Walker argues these two sectors should never have their wires crossed for democracy to function properly. The Irvings have ultimately been covering themselves with Irving-owned media reporting on Irving industry. 

Walker's book concludes by arguing that a strong and independent free press, be it digital or on newsprint, is essential but ultimately lacking in New Brunswick. He calls on fledgling journalist to rise to the occasion in the era of the internet to fill the void in a province he dearly loves. 

"Wires Crossed: Memoirs of a Citizen and Reporter in the Irving Press" by Julian H. Walker is available at LaBaleine Boutique in Saint Andrews, Westminister Books in Fredericton, as well as at Chapters and Indigo.