Category / Policy

The political standoff in Ottawa created an unprecedented opportunity for journalism online. The volume of commentary demonstrates how this publishing format can engage audiences in a way that is not only good for journalism, but good for democracy.…

The online magazine Tyee takes a look at the impact of “citizen journalism” on the U.S. election, and specifically its role in revealing the mob mentality at the Republican rallies. The links to videos are worth a look. An excerpt…

“A confluence of factors has helped turn our election races into schoolyard tussles,” said Adam Radwanski in a Globe and Mail column. But he aimed his strongest criticism on the media, and especially online forms of media.     “The anything-goes…

Clark Hoyt, the Public Editor of the New York Times, shares some thoughts about bias — real or imagined. An excerpt: “Throughout this election season, most of the thousands of messages I have received about Times news coverage have alleged…

After my bemoaning the lack of features allowing direct participation, the Globe and Mail adds “Hotline to Harper” feature, giving the audience a voice to speak directly to the prime minister. Nice……

In an election campaign with Twittering, Blogging, and Facebook mainstreeting this instant information world is suddenly going dark tonight. Elections Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada seem to think most Canadians are content with learning about poll results the…

Election Act: 329. No person shall transmit the result or purported result of the vote in an electoral district to the public in another electoral district before the close of all of the polling stations in that other electoral district.In…

CBC and CTV made the unusual move of disassociating themselves from Peter Kent, former broadcast journalist and now a Conservative candidate in the Toronto area riding of Thornhill. Kent’s promo video (here, on youtube.com) includes praise by Peter…

David Ljunggren of Reuters reports on covering the Canadian election amid surreal political perspectives of the economy, and an economic reporter’s attempts to get a handle on Conservative policy positions. The  piece is part reality-check, part critical analysis and part…

Back in February, media watcher Robert Hackett argued media reform should be a top priority in the impending (even back then) federal election. Hackett saw a disturbing constellation forming: an industry push for deregulation, a new market-friendly CRTC head, and…