The Independent Press Gallery has sounded the alarm as Canada continues its slide down the Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index.
After falling seven spots in just one year, Canada now sits in 21st place.
"Canada's Press Freedom Drops Sharply Under Carney, Says Independent Press Gallery
In a press release, IPG President Sheila Gunn Reid argued that "the sharp decline coincides with increased state control over media, both financially and legislatively."
"The Liberal government has expanded censorship through Bill C-11, granting the CRTC power over online content, Bill C-18, which disrupted news access by forcing tech platforms to pay government-approved media, and new censorship pledges from Prime Minister Mark Carney to regulate so-called 'online pollution'," Gunn Reid said.
She pointed out that Carney has pledged another $150 million to the CBC, which already receives $1.4 billion annually. At the same time, legacy outlets benefit from a $600 million bailout-funding that "rewards loyalty and punishes independence."
"This," Gunn Reid claimed, "has created a two-tier media system, with subsidized outlets, praised and promoted, and independent outlets, denied access and smeared by state-funded competitors."
She cited the treatment of certain reporters at the French-language leaders' debate, namely CBC broadcasters' labelling of independent journalists as "illegitimate and disruptive," and the ensuing decision to cancel the post-English debate Q&A session.
The IPG went on to call for "an end to censorship legislation, a rollback of media subsidies, and a fair press accreditation process."
According to RWB, Canada scored 78.75 in 2025, just behind the United Kingdom.
The group noted that while "media outlets in Canada are generally free of pressure from politicians, political parties, and political movements," there is still room for improvement. They cited the Liberals' Online News Act and Meta's response of blocking news content on its platforms in the country.
"Although Canadians say they still have some confidence in journalism," RWB added, "their overall trust in the media has declined."