A Population in the Dark: The Desperate State of Canadian Media
The state of Canadian media is shockingly poor, with access to news media deteriorating rapidly over the past decade. The culmination of this decline came on September 15th when Metroland Media announced its bankruptcy, leading to the loss of over 600 jobs and the discontinuation of print publications in 71 local markets across Ontario. This grim development had long been predicted by media experts who foresaw the consequences of Metroland's dominance in local print markets in Ontario. Moreover, the passage of Bill C-18 has further compounded the crisis, making Canadian news unavailable on major social media platforms. In this eh-political blog post, we delve into how we arrived at this critical juncture and what it means for Canadian politics and democracy, including the heightened risk of foreign interference.
How Did We Get Here?
To comprehend the current state of Canadian news media, we must first examine how social media disrupted traditional news media over the past two decades. The proliferation of social media since the mid-2000s transformed how Canadians consume and engage with news, with profound effects on traditional news media.
Social media democratized information, enabling individuals to become content creators and news disseminators. Ordinary citizens could report events in real-time through tweets, posts, and live streams, challenging the monopoly of traditional news outlets and giving rise to citizen journalism.
The speed and virality of social media revolutionized how news spreads, often outpacing traditional news organizations. This speed, however, often compromised accuracy and facilitated the spread of misinformation.
While social media offered diverse voices, it also led to fragmented audiences, creating echo chambers where people were exposed only to information that reinforced their existing views. The ease of sharing information on social media also amplified the spread of disinformation and fake news, eroding trust in traditional news sources.
As social media became the primary news source for most Canadians, traditional news outlets faced financial challenges due to the shift in advertising dollars. Many newspapers closed, newsrooms downsized, and concerns arose about the quality of reporting and journalism's sustainability.
To survive in the digital era, traditional news outlets adapted, establishing a strong online presence and collaborating with social media influencers and bloggers, blending different forms of content creation.
In an attempt to salvage the local news sector from social media's effects, Metroland Media Group aggressively acquired local newspapers in Southern Ontario throughout the 2010s. However, the centralization of newsrooms and the focus on online platforms eroded journalism quality, rendering local newspapers increasingly irrelevant. Metroland's recent bankruptcy announcement signifies the end of an era for local print media.
The Impact on Communities and Democracy
In 2023, traditional print media is no longer viable as most people consume news through their smart devices. However, the decline of local news providers has left many communities without in-depth and accurate coverage, leaving citizens in the dark about local news and political discourse. This information gap poses a risk to democracy itself.
Moreover, the reduced access to credible news sources makes Canadians more susceptible to foreign interference in their elections. It has been well documented that during Canada’s federal election in 2021 that Chinese state actors actively tried to influence the outcome of the election through the spread of misinformation about candidates and other intimidation tactics which occurred primarily on social media. Countries like China and Russia actively of exploit information vacuums to spread disinformation, sow discord, and influence political outcomes in democracies throughout the world. With Canadians becoming less informed due to the decline of reliable news sources, the risk of foreign interference in Canadian elections looms larger than ever.
The Vulnerability to Foreign Interference
The threat of foreign interference in democratic processes is not new, but the declining state of Canadian media has made the country more vulnerable to such activities. China and Russia have invested heavily in information warfare strategies, using social media platforms to disseminate propaganda and influence public opinion in other countries.
With traditional news outlets struggling and Canadians increasingly relying on social media for news, foreign actors have found fertile ground for their disinformation campaigns. These campaigns often exploit existing divisions and amplify existing political and social fault lines.
Foreign interference in elections typically takes several forms:
Disinformation Campaigns: Foreign actors create and spread false or misleading information to manipulate public opinion. This can include fake news stories, doctored images, and misleading narratives. With fewer trusted news sources, Canadians are more susceptible to believing and sharing such disinformation.
Social Media Manipulation: Foreign governments use fake social media accounts, bots, and trolls to amplify divisive content, target specific demographics, and influence public sentiment. In an environment where social media is the primary source of news, these tactics can be highly effective.
Hacking and Leaking: Foreign actors may hack into political campaigns, government institutions, or media outlets to obtain sensitive information. They then release this information strategically to undermine specific candidates or parties.
Infiltration of Online Communities: Foreign agents may infiltrate online forums, groups, and communities to spread propaganda, manipulate discussions, and influence the beliefs of participants.
Covert Funding: Foreign governments may provide financial support to political groups, campaigns, or advocacy organizations, influencing their agendas and activities.
The decline of reliable news sources has made it challenging for Canadians to differentiate between credible information and disinformation. This vulnerability threatens the integrity of Canadian elections, as well as the broader democratic process.
Bill C-18 and Its Consequences
CTV News Instagram post regarding the removal of Canadian news content on their platform, August 10, 2023.
The passage of Bill C-18, the Online News Act, was intended to address some of the challenges facing the Canadian news industry. It mandated that digital companies, such as Facebook, pay news organizations when news stories are accessed through their platforms. The aim was to create a more equitable relationship between struggling news organizations and tech giants benefiting from news content.
However, the implementation of this legislation had unintended consequences. Major social media players, namely Facebook and Instagram, responded to the bill by blocking Canadian news content on their platforms. While the intention was to force these platforms to negotiate with news organizations, the outcome was the removal of all Canadian news from major social media sites, forums where a majority of Canadians consumed news.
This move further isolated Canadians from credible news sources, leaving them more dependent on alternative, and often less reliable, sources of information. With foreign actors actively exploiting these information gaps, the risks to Canadian democracy have multiplied.
The Implications for Canadian Democracy
The implications of the current state of Canadian media on democracy are profound and deeply concerning:
Eroding Informed Voting: When citizens lack access to reliable news and are bombarded with disinformation, their ability to make informed decisions at the ballot box diminishes. Informed voting is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy, and its erosion threatens the legitimacy of election outcomes.
Undermining Trust in Institutions: The decline of trusted news sources erodes public trust in media and institutions. When citizens lose faith in the veracity of news and the transparency of political processes, the social fabric of democracy weakens.
Polarization and Division: Echo chambers created by social media and the absence of diverse, fact-based reporting contribute to political polarization. Divisive rhetoric and a lack of common ground hinder constructive political discourse and compromise.
Foreign Interference: With Canadians increasingly reliant on social media for news, foreign actors have greater opportunities to manipulate public opinion and influence elections. This poses a direct threat to the integrity of the democratic process.
Disengagement: As credible news sources dwindle, citizens may become disengaged from politics and public affairs. A disengaged electorate is less likely to participate in civic activities, diminishing the vibrancy of democracy.
The Way Forward: Protecting Canadian Democracy
Addressing the crisis in Canadian media and safeguarding democracy require concerted efforts from multiple stakeholders:
Media Industry Rejuvenation: Supporting initiatives that promote quality journalism, including investigative reporting and fact-checking, is crucial. Government incentives and grants can help news organizations thrive in the digital age.
Media Literacy Education: Educating citizens, especially young people, on media literacy is essential. Teaching critical thinking skills and the ability to discern credible sources from misinformation is a long-term strategy to combat disinformation.
Transparency in Political Advertising: Implementing transparency measures for political advertising, both online and offline, can help citizens identify the source and intent behind political messaging.
Collaboration with Tech Companies: Encouraging dialogue and collaboration between tech companies, news organizations, and government bodies can find a middle ground that ensures the dissemination of credible news on social media platforms.
Foreign Interference Countermeasures: Developing robust mechanisms to detect, prevent, and respond to foreign interference in Canadian elections is imperative. Cooperation with international partners can help identify and deter foreign actors.
Continued Legal Framework Review: Periodic review and adjustment of legislation, such as Bill C-18, should consider its consequences and aim to strike a balance between supporting news organizations and protecting the public's right to information.
A Quiet Crisis
The state of Canadian media is in crisis, and its impact on democracy cannot be overstated. With a dwindling number of credible news sources, Canadians are more susceptible to disinformation and foreign interference. The erosion of informed voting, the undermining of trust in institutions, and the amplification of polarization threaten the very foundations of Canadian democracy.
As we confront these challenges, it is essential for media organizations, educators, policymakers, and citizens to work collaboratively to rejuvenate the media industry, promote media literacy, and safeguard the democratic process. In doing so, we can hope to restore the flow of accurate information, bolster civic engagement, and protect Canadian democracy for generations to come.
