Canadians are increasingly wary of bias in mainstream media and turning to independent news sources online, according to new research commissioned by the CRTC.
Blacklock's Reporter says a report released Saturday found that many believe traditional media fails to fairly represent different political perspectives.
The study, Perceptions Of Canadian Programming And News, noted that the public is changing how it consumes information.
Canadians are becoming “more attentive to potential biases in ‘mainstream’ news coverage” and are seeking alternative sources to better understand current events. More people are “watching more political news” and “being more selective” in their choices, the report found.
When asked how well Canadian media reports on a variety of political views, only 14% said they believed it did “very well.” The study also found that many respondents were reluctant to name specific news outlets they trusted most.
Trust levels varied between language groups. French-speaking Canadians were more likely to trust the CBC, while English-speaking respondents tended to prefer smaller, independent news outlets because they are “not funded by government.”
The Western Standard does not take any government bailout money.
The research was based on national focus groups and surveys of 1,226 Canadians. The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission paid Ottawa-based pollster Phoenix Strategic Perspectives Inc. $128,735 for the study.
Despite skepticism toward traditional outlets, respondents emphasized the importance of staying informed. When asked, “How important is it for you to stay informed through the news?” 57% rated it as “very important.”
Television viewership continues to decline. When asked how frequently they consume Canadian news, 59% said daily. However, many admitted their news habits depended on their mood or the presence of major breaking stories.
When asked what types of news they follow most, 79% said “national news,” followed by “local news” (73%), international news (72%), economic news (18%), and sports (15%).
Online news is now the dominant source of information. When asked which platforms they use most to follow Canadian news, 66% said “online,” while only 49% reported watching cable or satellite TV.
Streaming services are also overtaking traditional television for entertainment. Nearly 73% of Canadians surveyed said they subscribe to platforms like Netflix. Half, or 50%, watch video content through social media services like TikTok or YouTube, while just 46% still rely on cable or satellite television.
The study found that younger Canadians under 35 are more likely to watch content on social media, while older respondents are more likely to stick with cable or satellite TV.
Canadians are also shifting away from scheduled programming. Many participants in focus groups reported that they no longer watch programs in real time, instead opting to record shows or use streaming services to skip advertisements.
