Witness Testimony

Jeff Sandes testified about changes in journalism over the past three decades, contrasting earlier training in objectivity and balanced reporting with what he described as a more ideologically driven media environment today. He stated that journalists were previously trained to present multiple perspectives on a story and allow audiences to draw their own conclusions, whereas modern reporting often reflects alignment with particular political or social viewpoints. He attributed part of this shift to economic pressures, newsroom staff reductions, and the need to produce rapid content with limited fact-checking resources.
Sandes discussed the influence of advertisers and government funding on editorial decisions, stating that financial dependency can affect which stories are published or how they are framed. He described instances where stories critical of major advertisers or government policies were allegedly altered or rejected. He also testified that press releases are frequently rewritten with minimal changes and published due to time and staffing constraints. He further addressed standardized language guidance through the Canadian Press style framework, arguing that evolving terminology can shape public perception of contentious issues.
During discussion of the COVID period, Sandes expressed concern about selective coverage of events such as the Trucker Convoy, alleged censorship trends on social media, and collaborative media initiatives aimed at addressing misinformation. He raised concerns about federal legislation such as Bill C-11 and the broader use of terms like misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, suggesting these could expand regulatory control over expression. He concluded that concentrated media ownership, financial pressures, and audience-driven polarization have contributed to diminished journalistic balance and reduced capacity to hold government accountable.