How does the media connect Canadians to their government?

How does the media connect Canadians to their government? 1

Do some formats communicate more effectively than others?

How do you know if you have access to reliable, balanced Information?

Think about it:

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR NEWS? 2

What is included in media? • • • • • • • •

Newspapers Magazines Film Radio TV Internet Books Billboards 3

What media does: • Reports the news • Influences our personal understanding • Media messages are interpreted by the people who present them • Can influence how you think/feel about the story • Can affect what happens with the story • Can decide what story/whose perspective to cover 4

Media and Government • Politicians develop messages (memorable quotes/phrases like slogans) to be portrayed about them • Media tries to find truth behind government decisions • Help in finding credible sources in the government • Government can hold press conferences with the media present 5

Parliamentary Press Gallery • • • • • •

http://www.aptn.ca/ http://www.cbc.ca/politics/ http://apf.ca/ http://www.ledevoir.com/ http://www.mingpaonews.com/ http://www.omniab.ca/

• An association of reporters who cover decisions/actions of Canada’s government • Has about 350 reporters from different media establishments • Above are some examples… 6

WHY DO YOU THINK GROUPS IN CANADA WANT MEDIA OUTLETS THAT SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES? HOW DO YOU THINK THE VARIETY OF CANADA’S MEDIA AFFECT THE WAY CANADIAN DEAL WITH ISSUES? 7

Bias • An opinion based on unchallenged assumptions • Media might not cover a balance of views and perspectives

• Shows just one point of view • Must be open minded to detect it 8

How to look for bias: • • • •

Who is the writer(s)/speaker(s)? Do they have authority to speak about the subject? Does the information provide facts and evidence? Does it use stereotyping, or appeal to a fear or emotion? • Does it ignore any people or groups? • How does the information fit with what you already know? • How could you verify the information for accuracy?

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Your turn: • Looking at a newspaper, and online; choose a present issue and research it on different websites • Look to see if there is a bias, whether they are bringing in lots of perspectives, and the differences in the presentation of the topic • You have 10 minutes

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Lobbyist • Someone hired by a group to influence MPs and government officials • They register with a Commissioner of Lobbyists so people know who they represent • Provide different perspectives on issues • Must document which MP’s/officials they meet with

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Think about it:

TO WHAT EXTENT DO LOBBYISTS REPRESENT CANADIANS? IN WHAT WAYS DO THEY HELP OR HINDER EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT DECISION MAKING AROUND ISSUES? This could be a good topic for an essay on a test… not that this is a hint or anything…. 14

Questions?

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