The Missing News: Filters and Blind Spots in Canada's Press

Front Cover
Published Under the Garamond Imprint

North Americans now live in a highly complex media environment where newspapers are still immensely important vehicles for democratic communication. No other mass medium offers the same combined possibilities for accessibility, in-depth analysis, diversity of views, and sustained reflection on important political and economic issues.

But do newspapers in Canada really report an adequate range of views and issues? The authors argue that as significant as what is reported are the stories that are not reported, or "buried." What are the filters and blind spots that determine what gets into print... and what doesn't?

The authors believe that journalism's most important tasks in a democratic society include holding those in power accountable, and giving voice even to those without wealth or political influence. The Missing News shows us that Canadians have reason to be concerned.

 

Contents

Acknowledgements
1
Preface by Bill Doskoch
7
Chapter One Is Canadas Press Censored?
17
Chapter TwoPaying the Piper
47
Chapter ThreeJournalists Views of the Media
77
Chapter Four The Views of Interest Groups
99
Chapter FiveSearching for Canadas Underreported Stories
123
Chapter SixPatterns of Omission
165
Chapter Seven Blind Spots on Labour Power and Social Inequality
193
Chapter EightBeyond the Blind Spots
219
Index
235
Copyright

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About the author (2000)

Robert A. Hackett is a Professor of Communication and Co-director of NewsWatch Canada.