Canadians want the federal government to protect freedom of expression in the media and deal with the issue of concentration of ownership.

A survey conducted by CEP in July 2002 found that most Canadians believe media owners exercise too much control over the content of news and opinion in Canada’s newspapers, radio and television stations, and that the problem of media concentration warrants action by the federal government.

CEP President Brian Payne stressed that “the issue of media concentration is not about the rights of publishers, but rather the rights of Canadians to have a choice of news and opinion and the rights of journalists to practice their craft.”

“Canadians are saying that media owners are too powerful and that it’s time to put limits on how much influence money can buy in our media,” says Payne. “The media empires in this country have gone beyond business and are playing a political role. Canadians think that is wrong, and harmful to freedom of expression.”

A large majority of Canadians also believe that media concentration has resulted in limitations on freedom of expression in Canada’s media, and that there should be legal protection for the rights of individual journalists to cover new and express their views in the media they work for. A strong majority also agreed that the government should take steps to deal with the “serious problem” of media concentration in this country.

CEP Vice- President Media Peter Murdoch says “the poll demonstrates that Canadians want their journalists and information flow protected from the whims and prejudices of media barons. It is a grim warning to media corporations and government that Canadians believe that the very integrity of the news that feeds our democracy is being undermined by the effects of concentrated media ownership.