In a functioning democracy, the relationship between the media and the government involves constructive tension. It’s what allows us to hold power to account. Journalists ask difficult questions; governments, however reluctantly, answer them. This symbiotic relationship relies on a simple premise: The state does not get to decide who qualifies as a journalist; who gets to ask it questions. But whe...
The strongest version of this narrative highlights a legitimate concern: the Canadian government's use of the QCJO designation as a de facto press accreditation system risks undermining media independence. By tying access to government officials to a subsidy program, the state is effectively defining and accrediting journalism, which could lead to a media landscape increasingly aligned with government interests. This creates a two-tiered system where subsidized outlets enjoy preferential access,...