He likened Toronto media hounding him and his family to the paparazzi chasing Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash blamed on photographers.
He told the room of journalism students that no one is more thin-skinned than the media.
“Let’s talk about the Toronto Star,†he said. “Everyone says don’t get with a fight with people that buy ink by the barrel and paper by the ton. My theory is, don’t get in a fight with two guys that are willing to come after you and hold you to account.â€
He referred to the Star as the “National Enquirer of the North,†and suggested the students look into editor-in-chief Michael Cooke’s background. “This is the person that’s running the Toronto Star?â€
Ford also made personal attacks on CP24’s Katie Simpson, calling her “vicious,†but said he likes Stephen LeDrew, Postmedia CEO Paul Godfrey, as well as the Toronto Sun columnists Sue-Ann Levy and Joe Warmington, even though they “hammered†his brother in stories.
“I can’t listen to the news anymore because it’s not accurate,†he said. “I understand the numbers, these folks don’t understand their numbes … do your due diligence and find the facts.â€