Journalism in this community is on shaky ground, just as it is almost everywhere in the world.
If it is so vulnerable here, it is because so much of the media's funding comes from the GNWT and like many NGOs, privately-funded media doesn't want to bite the hand that feeds it. That means that any critical analysis or questioning of government action doesn't happen often enough because of a fear of losing advertising dollars.
The risk is that there are outlets that become mouthpieces for the territorial government. Media credibility is lost, and we slip more into complacency in a world dogged with catastrophic Issues that need our attention.
In an era crying out for journalists, who will help us in our search for truth, we are blanketed with reporting that fails to ask tough questions or even question at all. We need those questions and critical analysis to make us a better society.
In its early stages, which wasn't long ago, news reporters weren't afraid of the tough stuff and bringing it to light was the very reason why journalism was birthed. It was this pursuit of high standards and right action that gifted us with so many of the freedoms we enjoy today.
The class and high moral behaviours journalism once enjoyed is quickly slipping away courtesy of media outlets more concerned with survival and winning popularity contests than searching for truth.
In recent days, five journalists from Al-Jazeera were killed by Israeli bombs as they sheltered in a tent near an evacuation centre in Gaza. Altogether since this war started on, an estimated 210 journalists have been killed while trying to report the truth.
Israel argued it was targeting Hamas, which we know is an excuse. Israel just does not want the truth about the occupation of Gaza to be told. Those journalists were there for one reason: to tell the world the awful truth of the happenings in Gaza. They knew their lives were at risk, but were willing to pay that price so that Gaza's story could be told.
Their sacrifices had nothing to do with monetary gain or public recognition.
Advertising support has fallen dramatically for news media in Canada of all stripes. Media companies are not just vulnerable because they are having a hard time selling ads. They're vulnerable because many of the advertisers still buying ads are governments, who do not want to see themselves criticized in the media. This puts enormous pressure on media companies to avoid controversial stories involving government.
We need and deserve real, critically-based journalism practices if we hope to survive as a society, let alone a community. Any news organization that fails to do that puts our very existence at risk.
Vying for government accolades by being its public mouthpiece is not something the media should be doing and the government will not monitor the action. It, too, is looking for public support to keep its salaries and pension plans healthy. It is up to good media sources, then, to ask the tough stuff to ensure we are a healthy society governed by a responsible government.
With that in mind, reporters must not be afraid to ask about the high price attached to the Taltson expansion or even if it's practical, as one example. We must not be afraid to ask why the board of governors at Aurora College closed almost 20 learning centres in a territory crying out for more education. We must not bite our tongues instead of asking why the size of the bureaucracy has mushroomed when we are short on money. We must not be afraid to ask why there is still no living wage when so many are falling through the cracks.
We need a media that cares about everyday people. “Reporting” that lacks substance is getting us nowhere. Only reporters not afraid of the tough stuff will.
As members of the public, you do have a say in this. You can demand and deserve high standards from your media. Government communicators masquerading as media are not going to move us through these difficult times. Only honest, heartfelt reporting will.
Thanks for holding us accountable.
