Challenges and Obstacles on the Road to Reconciliation
In light of Media Democracy day on November 19th, the Saskatchewan Office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is pleased to release “Decolonizing the Media: Challenges and Obstacles on the Road to Reconciliation” by Dr. Patricia Elliott of the University of Regina School of Journalism.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) highlighted the news media’s role in shaping public opinion, including a long history of perpetuating negative stereotypes and under-reporting issues of importance to Indigenous communities. As noted by the TRC, “The media’s role and responsibility in the reconciliation process require journalists to be well informed about the history of Aboriginal peoples and the issues that affect their lives.” Within this context, they issued three Calls specifically related to the media, highlighting the roles of the public broadcaster (CBC), the Aboriginal People’s Television Network (APTN), and Canada’s journalism schools in aiding reconciliation. In this report, Dr. Elliott critically assesses the response to these calls by Canada’s news media and schools of journalism.
Patricia Elliott (PhD, University of Saskatchewan) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Regina’s School of Journalism. Her research interests include Canadian media policy and the study of non-profit and co-operative media.
