Rising Concerns Over Eroding Media Freedom in Canada
Title: Spotlight on Press Freedom in Canada: A Closer Look
Stop me if I've told you this one before – I've just landed back in the big city after attending the yearly Canadian Journalists Association gala in good ol' Calgary. It was a blast, mingling with the finest journalists this nation has to offer, reflecting on our careers, and learning a thing or two – though it wasn't all fun and games, folks.
You see, beneath the jovial, camaraderie, and scenic hikes to Canmore, there was an unsettling unease about the state of press freedom in Canada. Journalists from coast to coast shared their tales of woe, detailing the repeated abuses by law enforcement agencies at all levels who, unfortunately, aren't respecting the rights of the press, as enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Just to name a few such transgressions: municipal and provincial officials drawing secret blacklists of disliked journalists, denying them access to information; police obstructing journalists from covering demonstrations, using "catch and release" tactics to hinder coverage, be it for a few hours or several days; the arrests of journalists during the line of duty, as was the case last year with Amber Bracken, who is now suing the RCMP for the mistreatment she received.
And let's not forget about the creeping influence of Big Tech on press freedom. With major platforms refusing to share content from media outlets and restricting access to information, it's more challenging than ever for journalists to accomplish their tasks effectively.
Now, I'm not here to shock you, my dear readers, as these tales of woe fit neatly with insights we've gathered by crunching numbers from experts in the Canadian media, as part of the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The end result? A 7-spot drop in Canada's ranking, sliding to 21st place among 180 countries and territories.
Now, hold on to your hats, because it's time to address some of the criticisms aimed at our beloved Index. I say "our," as the very same survey that threw cold water on Canada's press freedom ranking also placed us ahead of Estonia (2nd) and Trinidad and Tobago (18th). Think about it: at least two journalists in those countries haven't been arrested while covering their assignments, but Canada's got that covered for us – and it's an ongoing concern.
Here's where the issue lies: police departments in Canada regularly engage in "catch and release" tactics, detaining journalists, which undeniably disrupts coverage and can even dissuade other journalists from pursuing certain stories. Sometimes, these journalists may find themselves held for hours, as was the case during the Ottawa protests, while other detentions may stretch for days, as poor Amber Bracken discovered in 2022.
So, yes, we've got debate on our hands – and we welcome it. We're all for refining our methods, because they say you can always improve when it comes to complex measurements like the World Press Freedom Index.
Now, let's get this straight: Canada still holds a reasonably high ranking, at 21st in the world. But instead of dismissing countries higher up on the list, let's ask ourselves why things are done differently in those countries, and what improvements we can make to mirror their successes. Long story short, let's keep a vigilant eye on the state of our press freedom and question Canadian policies that jeopardize this fundamental democratic right. And hey, next time you find yourself questioning our rankings, give our website a visit – we're transparent as a sunny Calgary day, my friend.
1. Dive into "Canada's Press Freedom Predicament: A Personal Note"2. Ch-ch-check out the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders3. Have a peek at the World Press Freedom Index methodology (since 2022)4. Explore "Ottawa Police Under Fire for Arresting Citizen Journalist"5. Read the English translation of Reporters Without Borders' text6. Revisit "Two La Presse Journalists Arrested on the Job"7. Check out the English translation of Reporters Without Borders' text8. Delve into the detailed World Press Freedom Index methodology (since 2022)So, what's your take? Drop your thoughts and join the conversation!
- Despite Canada's high ranking in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, it's crucial to discuss the ongoing issues faced by journalists, such as repeated abuses by law enforcement agencies and the influence of Big Tech on press freedom.
- For a closer look at the state of press freedom in Canada, read "Canada's Press Freedom Predicament: A Personal Note" to understand the concerns expressed by journalists from coast to coast.
