Stopping journalists from following election campaigns is a disservice to all—political leaders included.
This election season, the Conservative Party announced plans to block reporters from travelling with leader and federal candidate Pierre Poilievre during his election campaign. While limiting journalistic access might seem like the way to control their media representation, the Conservatives must realize this action isn’t harming media outlets, but their precious electors.
The party’s national campaign director Jenni Byrne cited rising travel costs as a major reason for eliminating journalistic presence onboard campaign planes and buses—costs that media outlets have historically paid to the parties to grant their reporters access to such events.
The decision to sever a close and continuous media coverage marks a departure from decades of tradition, where reporters have followed major candidates and their parties along their campaign trail across the country, to observe and deliver extensive election stories to Canadians.
Limiting media access will have a trickle-down effect on how ordinary people—who rely on these reporters—will obtain reliable news to make informed political decisions. If leaders like Poilievre are uncomfortable answering questions from journalists, now, it’s telling what kind of leader he’ll be and the kinds of policies he’ll implement when given official power.
Though the Conservatives encourage this as an opportunity for digital and remote coverage campaign events to thrive, it’s clear their decision stems from urgency to cower from the media. Given the Conservative party’s perception of the media, it’s even less shocking coming from Poilievre—the same man who vows to defund the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) if elected prime minister. The contentious relationship between politicians and media outlets has long existed. The last thing needed are more efforts to outcast reporters.
Instead, Poilievre encourages reporters from local bureaus to cover the election, assuring all events are public and will be announced ahead of time. It all sounds promising, but local reporters simply don’t have the same expertise, tools, or access as the ones whose careers centre around studying elections and asking the right questions to leaders.
Traditionally, reporters will document a party’s whole campaign, gaining insight from asking questions at news conferences, covering leaders’ announcements, and engaging with staff and voters from all angles. Having dedicated journalists means constant media access to that party’s events, which often reach remote areas in Canada, where there’s a notable scarcity of local outlets.
Showing voters you’re not afraid of ability and scrutiny is a crucial quality—one lost on leaders like Poilievre.
Wanting to prepare thoughtful answers and uphold composure is one thing, but not being receptive to reporters’ questions displays cowardice and hypocrisy.
The lack of journalistic presence during the Conservatives’ campaign trail signals a bleak future for media access and coverage in Canada, not just for electoral politics but important events people turn to the news for.
Political parties can bar the media, but the people these outlets serve won’t stop asking questions that demand answers.
—Journal Editorial Board
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