ABSTRACT
Media accountability in Canada is going through a phase of consolidation that remains fragile. The National NewsMedia Council (NNC) was created in 2015, replacing struggling provincial press councils. In Quebec, a smaller, geographically concentrated French-language media market, media accountability is a frequent topic of public debate. The Quebec Press Council reformed its structure in 2017 and it benefits from significant public funding. But the organization has lost members in recent years, and it is dealing with a lawsuit from Québecor, a large media group. Outside established mechanisms, self-regulation within Canadian media outlets is modest, with few ombudspersons and public editors. Some observers argue that citizens’ criticisms of news organizations on social media and other forums offer promising ways to hold the press to account in a digital world.
