Changes in Canadian Journalists' Views about the Social and Political Roles of the News Media: A Panel Study, 1996–2003

Abstract

Abstract. This article presents the findings of a panel study of Canadian journalists, focusing on changes in their views about the social and political roles of the news media between 1996 and 2003. The results reveal substantial changes in journalists' views over the seven-year period. In particular, the analysis documents an erosion of the importance journalists attach to core roles of Canadian journalism, such as accurately reporting the views of public figures, providing analyses of complex problems, and giving ordinary people a chance to express their views. The change was found almost exclusively among English-language journalists rather than French-language journalists, suggesting the possibility of an emerging cultural divide in opinions about such roles.Résumé. Cet article présente les résultats de deux enquêtes menées auprès d'un même groupe de journalistes canadiens, l'une en 1996, l'autre en 2003, et montre les changements importants intervenus en quelques années dans les valeurs professionnelles des journalistes. L'enquête de 2003 fait voir l'érosion de certaines fonctions centrales du journalisme, comme le reportage fidèle des propos des personnalités recontrées, l'analyse des enjeux difficiles, et le souci de donner la parole aux gens ordinaires. Ces changements se manifestent presque exclusivement chez les journalistes anglophones, ce qui permet de croire à l'émergence d'un écart entre journalistes anglophones et francophones dans la perception de leur rôle.

Estudio comparativo de cuatro regiones: mercado laboral y perfil del periodista

“…En efecto, los estudios más importantes del área han provenido de dichos territorios (Weaver y Wilhoit, 1986, 1996Weaver et al, 2007;Patterson y Donsbach, 1996;Canel y Sánchez, 1999;Henningham, 1996;Pritchard, et al, 2005;Donsbach et al, 2005;APM, 2009;Becker et al, 2009;Deuze, 2002). Desde Asia y África también se ha desarrollado paulatinamente una línea de investigación en torno al periodista, como objeto y sujeto de estudio (Chen, et al,, 1998;Hanitzsch, 2005;fung, 2009;Ramaprasad, and Nelly, 2003).…”

The Ambiguous Definition of Open Government: Parliamentarians, Journalists and Bloggers Define Open Government In Accordance With Their Interests

“…The low rate was primarily attributable to politicians, which is perhaps understandable ( Table 2). While the overall response rate was low, journalists and bloggers participated at rates comparable to those in similar studies (Pritchard et al, 2005). While the response rate for politicians was very low, the response rate is an indicator of a survey's ability to test substantive hypotheses (Holbrook et al, 2007).…”

What is the fracking story in Canada?

“…The information that Canadians have about the issue and the overall narrative is critical. In many regards, the news “is an important means by which those in authority sense the voices and opinions of the citizenry” (Pritchard and Brewer , 287). In Canada, the narrow scope of articles that frame fracking as either environmental or economic could be problematic in the long run.…”