Conspiracy theories and disinformation in Canadian politics amped up after ‘Freedom Convoy’
While watching MPs debate the “Freedom Convoy” and whether to support the now-revoked Emergencies Act, Canadians might be forgiven for thinking politicians were playing a game of two truths and a lie. Misinformation—false information that is accidentally spread—and disinformation—false information that is spread with intent to deceive—have both been key characteristics of the convoy protest […]
‘It’s really shaken what people thought of Canada’: international media attention of Ottawa occupation driven by contrast with Canada’s clean image, say journalists
The high amount of international media attention on the so-called “Freedom Convoy” in Ottawa could be attributed to how the event clashes with Canada’s stereotypical “clean” image, say some journalists. “It’s really shaken, I think, what people thought of Canada, or their impressions of Canada,” said Paula Newton, an international correspondent with CNN and CNN […]
Democracy Watch argues Federal Court case against Trudeau snap election call deserves to go forward
Democracy Watch is arguing that a Federal Court case challenging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s request last August for a snap election is strong enough to move forward, meanwhile the Liberal government filed a motion to have the case thrown out. On Sept. 14, 2021, Democracy Watch issued a notice of application in Federal Court requesting […]
Veteran Hill reporter Joan Bryden retires, ‘Canadian politics is poorer for it,’ and Black History Month begins
Early in the morning on Feb. 1, long-time Parliament Hill and federal politics reporter Joan Bryden announced the beginning of her official retirement and an end to her time with The Canadian Press’ parliamentary bureau. “I am officially a retired person today. This will take some adjustment after 40 years in daily journalist, 34 of them […]
Media freedom is the ‘antidote to tyranny’
The press is completely or partially blocked in 73 per cent, or 130 of the 180 countries ranked by the 2021 World Press Freedom Index. The index produced by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) marks the state of respect for universally accepted freedoms; freedom of the press, of speech and association. The index is like a […]
Leadership in an age of disinformation is impossible without respectful relationships
OTTAWA—Aggressive convoys, conflicts, and wars all share a similar foundation—a decision to speak and act over others regardless of their rights and absent of our responsibilities to each other. Elder Woody Morrison would always smile in response to questions about what is truth. As an Elder, he carried with him the power of his community’s […]
Former Mulroney speechwriter, ‘Proud Bleu’ Paul Terrien remembered by Tory leaders
Paul Terrien, a speechwriter for former prime minister Brian Mulroney, died Jan. 24 at the age 72 in the Hull Hospital in Quebec after a severe brain aneurysm. The high-profile political figure worked with two different party leaders aside from Mulroney, including as an English and French speechwriter for Stephen Harper from 2014 to 2015, […]
O’Toole attack on Guilbeault an appeal to blue collar class, says strategists
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole’s mid-January video criticizing the Liberal’s climate change policy was derided by some commentators for misquoting Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and blurring the truth, but strategists note it was a pointed appeal by the Conservatives to “entire classes” of Canadians who depend on the energy economy. It’s an approach that may win […]
‘Perception is reality’: best political performers on social media ‘forge a personal connection’ with audience
The politicians who are good at social media will combine authenticity and self-expression and the ones who stand out offer the right mix of partisan politics and genuine personality, say experts. People are “increasingly using social media for identity affirmation and self-expression,” said Vincent Raynauld, an associate professor in communications studies at Emerson College. For […]
‘Absolutely shameful’: RCMP conduct, arrest of journalists in spotlight as Wet’suwet’en opposition to pipeline flares up
The executive editor of one media organization that has been covering the RCMP’s raid of a pipeline opposition site in northwestern B.C. says charges should not have been brought against two journalists who were incarcerated while reporting on the Indigenous land defenders. And, Brent Jolly, national president of the Canadian Association of Journalists, says that […]
