Healing the journalism pipeline: Tips and tricks for understanding the legal state of post-secondary journalism in Canada

It’s no secret that the journalism industry in Canada is in a state of crisis. From widespread distrust in media to the financial volatility brought on by digital journalism, most attention has been paid to the status and future of legacy media. However, without the reputation and resources larger journalistic institutions can fall back on, it is often those among the industry’s most vulnerable who face the greatest brunt of these issues — in this case, student media.

If post-secondary institutions are microcosms of general society, then the same must be true for university and college student-led publications, rendering the issues faced by them understandably similar to mainstream media. However, after months of surveying media lawyers, veteran journalists and leaders in student journalism, it is safe to say that many of Canada’s student newspapers are in an exceptionally difficult position compared to that faced by legacy media, with added challenges like limited funds to cover overhead, lack of training or guidance, government intervention and the added insecurity that comes with doing controversial and important work before one has even entered into the job market.

In interviewing interested parties from across Canada, the Canada Press Freedom Project was able to collect testimony on student media’s biggest threats, from censorship  to legal intimidation to lack of funding. However, this report’s aim does not end at acknowledging and bringing greater attention to the state of student media in Canada — it also seeks to act as a touchstone for new and experienced student journalists on a number of matters related to media and defamation law, journalistic ethics and governance. 

Continue reading this guide at the Canada Press Freedom Project.