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

by Robert A. Hackett, Richard Gruneau, Donald Gutstein

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.

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2000

Reviews

[Eagle Andersen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty good. Found it at a thrift store for a couple bucks and it had two of my favourite topics in the title - Canada and journalism. I bet it would’ve been the bees knees reading this right when it came out.

The latter chapters are academic and breakdown all of the blind spots in Canadian news but the issue is it was so long ago that the same data likely isn’t relevant. No fault at all of the author, it’s just dated now.

Lotta interesting bits at the start though talking about dying newsrooms and physical papers being so crucial that are interesting looking back at with the power of hindsight. It’d be worth it to read through that section, and scan the academic stuff for the lists of underreported topics. Probably not worth it to read it cover-to-cover unless you’re a big-time nerd.