By Sydney Ingram Video by Andrew Yang Multimedia by Hyeji Yoon
In a year like no other, Canadian journalists are facing new challenges in their coverage of the American presidential election.
The Age of Disinformation
Jackson Proskow is the Washington Bureau Chief for Global News.
He explained that many Americans are reluctant to talk to the media, asking if the Canadian outlet has a “slant”.
“That’s just not the same we think of in Canada, we just think of being journalists, we don’t think of having an agenda one way or the other.”
Like Proskow, CBC New York correspondent Steven D’Souza has also faced similar challenges when conducting interviews.
“People were reluctant to even speak to the media. They had a preconceived notion that the media was out to get them.”
And CBC correspondent David Common revealed that the spread of disinformation has proven itself as a significant obstacle for journalists.
“We have the constant challenge of what is true. People will tell us things a lot that seemed plausible and aren’t…just the idea of knowing where to go to get authentic answers, that was a challenge.”
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Graphic featuring statistics of Canadian engagement in the 2020 U.S. election (Hyeji Yoon/JRN 270)
Close to Home
While Canadians may not have voted in the American election, D’Souza hopes to remind Canadians they are not so far removed.
“I think one of the most important lessons Canadians can take from what’s happened in the US is seek out the truth,” D’Souza said,
“And to not allow disinformation to become the rule of the day.”
Proskow reiterated this statement.
“It’s easy to be sort of glib about what’s happening in the US and think, well, thank goodness, that’s not happening to us.”
“I think Canada’s proximity to the US allows Canadians to give themselves a pass on real issues…Canadians comparing themselves to the US doesn’t serve any purpose.”
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