MIND THE GAPS QUANTIFYING THE DECLINE OF NEWS COVERAGE IN CANADA ANNEX I SEPTEMBER 2018 PPFORUM.CA

MIND THE GAPS QUANTIFYING THE DECLINE OF NEWS COVERAGE IN CANADA ANNEX I SEPTEMBER 2018 PPFORUM.CA

TABLE OF CONTENTS Reporting Gaps Widen....1 Figure 1: Total Number of Articles Per Year 1 Figure 2: Total Number of Civic Articles Per Year. 1 Breaking Down The Gaps... 2 Figure 3: Number of Civic Articles and Percent Share by Theme.. 2 Figure 4: Average Number of Articles Per Edition by Theme 2 Figure 5.1-5.5: Depth of Coverage..... 3-5 Geographical Scope. 5 Figure 6: Geographical Scope of articles.. 5 Reporting Across Communities. 6 Figure 7: Total Number of Articles Per Year by Market 6 Figure 8: Total Number of Civic Articles Per Year by Market.. 6 Figure 9: Geographical Scope of Articles by Market 7 Figure 10.1-1: Metrics Measuring the Depth of Articles. 8-12 Figure 11.1-11.5: Metrics Measuring the Depth of Articles by Language 13-15 Figure 12.1-12.6: Number of Articles and Percent Share by Theme and Market.. 15-18 Figure 13.1-13.6: Average Number of Articles Per Edition by Theme and Market... 18-21

REPORTING GAPS WIDEN Figure 1: Total Number of Articles Per Year 120000 100000 80000 60000 40000 20000 0 Figure 2: Total Number of Civic Articles Per Year 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 1 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

BREAKING DOWN THE GAPS Figure 3: Number of Civic Articles and Percent Share by Theme 10000 8000 22% 6000 26% 24% 26% 28% 23% 25% 22% 24% 4000 23% 18% 18% 2000 0 58% 53% 53% 54% 52% 58% 57% 58% 59% 55% City Hall Courts Legislatures Figure 4: Average Number of Articles Per Edition by Theme 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.0 4.0 0.9 2.9 2.6 2.6 2.7 2.5 2.5 0.8 2.3 2.2 0.7 2.1 0.6 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 2.4 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.2 City hall Courts Legislatures 2 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

*Please note that in the following graphs the terms before and after refer to the start and end of the testing period. In most cases this was from 2008 to 2017. However, in some cases the start year was later (e.g. 2012) as some outlets did not have digitized articles available in 2008. DEPTH OF COVERAGE Figure 5.1: Direct Quotes 10 9 8 7 5 26% 16% 18% 13% 11% 42% 45% (601) (692) Three or more Two One None Figure 5.2: Opposing Perspectives 10 9 8 7 5 23% 29% 25% 48% 45% (538) (604) Described in detail Acknowledged (but not explained) Not described or unclear 3 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 5.3: Historical Context 10 9 11% 13% 8 7 5 23% 66% 58% (566) (662) Facts with analysis Facts only No context provided Figure 5.4: Presence of Statistics/Polls 10 9 8 7 5 49% 53% 51% 47% (601) (692) Yes No 4 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 5.5: Illustrative Examples 10 9 8 7 5 32% 32% 38% 35% 36% 27% (569) (647) More than one example described One example described No examples GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE Figure 6: Geographical Scope of Articles 10 1% 1% 9 8 7 5 14% 11% 7% 66% 64% 8% 8% (601) (692) Neighbourhood Municipality Region Province National 5 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

REPORTING ACROSS COMMUNITIES Figure 7: Total Number of Articles Per Year by Market 120000 100000 80000 60000 40000 20000 0 ALL MARKETS Small Medium Closure Figure 8: Total Number of Civic Articles Per Year by Market 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 ALL MARKETS Small Medium Closure No closure English French/Bilingual 6 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 9: Geographical Scope of Articles by Market 10 9 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 15% 19% 13% 22% 12% 26% 15% 17% 15% 19% 3% 13% 2% 1% 1% 23% 14% 8 7 11% 67% 11% 63% 12% 3% 64% 64% 14% 68% 9% 59% 64% 6% 67% 7 4% 73% 14% 56% 13% 49% 11% 66% 7% 64% 5 6% 6% 4% 5% 5% 5% 14% 12% 8% 8% (285) (354) (316) (338) (223) (278) (378) (414) (418) (427) (183) Small Medium Closure No closure English French/ Bilingual (265) (601) (692) All Markets Size of Market Newspaper Closure Language of Market Overall Neighbourhood Municipality Region Province National 7 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Metrics Measuring the Depth of Articles Figure 10.1: Direct Quotes 10 8 26% 24% 27% 26% 33% 31% 27% 26% 24% 26% 26% 25% 26% 32% 32% 11% 17% 12% 14% 14% 13% 12% 19% 13% 9% 9% 14% 13% 12% 12% 13% 26% 28% 17% 12% 31% 27% 13% 12% 13% 14% 14% 26% 25% 31% 26% 11% 16% 18% 12% 13% 11% 39% 48% 16% 16% 49% 5 34% 41% 36% 43% 44% 46% 48% 49% 38% 43% 47% 52% 34% 47% 53% 14% 42% 45% (285) (354) (316) (338) (168) (173) (433) (519) (223) (278) (378) (414) (418) (427) (183) (265) (502) (528) (99) (164) (601) (692) Small Medium Capital Not a capital Closure No closure English French/ Bilingual English French All Markets Size of Market Provincial Capitals Newspaper Closure Language of Market Language of Content Three or more Two One None Overall 8 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 10.2: Opposing Perspectives 10 8 19% 18% 28% 27% 32% 28% 28% 27% 26% 25% 29% 28% 31% 37% 28% 22% 29% 29% 23% 28% 23% 28% 28% 27% 24% 22% 29% 27% 29% 27% 28% 41% 23% 48% 29% 25% 33% 31% 51% 5 45% 41% 44% 45% 49% 45% 54% 47% 44% 44% 5 51% 43% 35% 52% 52% 25% 48% 45% (255) (309) (283) (295) (149) (154) (389) (450) (207) (242) (331) (362) (387) (387) (151) (217) (463) (476) (75) (128) (538) (604) Small Medium Capital Not a capital Closure No closure English French/ Bilingual English French All Markets Size of Market Provincial Capitals Newspaper Closure Language of Market Language of Content Overall Described in detail Acknowledged (but not explained) Not described or unclear 9 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 10.3: Historical Context 10 8% 7% 5% 11% 13% 8 13% 13% 12% 15% 17% 9% 11% 12% 12% 11% 13% 7% 6% 27% 26% 33% 31% 32% 29% 19% 27% 26% 31% 19% 25% 33% 23% 19% 24% 31% 35% 23% 37% 44% 46% 72% 61% 56% 53% 51% 71% 7 61% 63% 55% 74% 69% 47% 74% 7 25% 19% 66% 58% (262) (342) (304) (320) (163) (170) (403) (492) (216) (263) (350) (399) (391) (408) (175) (254) (469) (501) (97) (161) (566) (662) Small Medium Capital Not a capital Closure No closure English French/ Bilingual English French All Markets Size of Market Provincial Capitals Newspaper Closure Language of Market Language of Content Overall Facts with analysis Facts only No context provided 10 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 10.4: Presence of Statistics/Polls 10 8 42% 48% 46% 44% 48% 48% 53% 58% 54% 54% 52% 53% 54% 54% 57% 57% 62% 75% 71% 49% 53% 47% 42% 46% 46% 43% 52% 48% 58% 47% 46% 46% 54% 52% 43% 38% 56% 52% 25% 29% 51% 47% (285) (354) (316) (338) (168) (173) (433) (519) (223) (278) (378) (414) (418) (427) (183) (265) (502) (528) (99) (164) (601) (692) Small Medium Capital Not a capital Closure No closure English French/ Bilingual English French All Markets Size of Market Provincial Capitals Newspaper Closure Language of Market Language of Content Overall Yes No 11 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 1: Illustrative Examples Metrics Measuring the Depth of Articles by Market 10 8 31% 25% 26% 36% 35% 35% 42% 44% 46% 49% 41% 22% 26% 25% 32% 38% 33% 36% 31% 36% 34% 22% 35% 36% 34% 33% 31% 54% 58% 38% 38% 32% 42% 43% 18% 34% 35% 86% 82% 5% 46% 34% 28% 29% 23% 39% 29% 29% 34% 26% 29% 22% 42% 33% 9% 8% 36% 27% (263) (324) (306) (323) (164) (172) (405) (475) (212) (262) (357) (385) (394) (403) (175) (244) (472) (495) (97) (152) (569) (647) Small Medium Capital Not a capital Closure No closure English French/ Bilingual English French All Markets Size of Market Provincial Capitals Newspaper Closure Language of Market Language of Content More than one example described One example described No examples Overall 12 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Metrics Measuring the Depth of Articles by Language Figure 11.1: Direct Quotes 10 9 8 7 5 25% 28% 23% 41% 33% 48% 31% 23% 29% 25% 52% 52% 25% 48% 45% (463) (476) (75) (128) (538) English French All Markets Language of Content Overall (604) Described in detail Acknowledged (but not explained) Not described or unclear Figure 11.2: Opposing Perspectives 10 9 8 7 5 31% 12% 26% 11% 48% 16% 25% 39% 16% 16% 13% 26% 18% 11% 47% 53% 14% 42% 45% (502) (528) (99) (164) (601) English French All Markets Language of Content Overall (692) Three or more Two One None 13 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 11.3: Historical Context 10 9 8 7 5 7% 5% 19% 24% 31% 44% 35% 46% 11% 13% 23% 74% 7 25% 19% 66% 58% (469) (501) (97) (161) (566) English French All Markets Language of Content Overall (662) Facts with analysis Facts only No context provided Figure 11.4: Presence of Statistics and Polls 10 9 8 7 5 44% 48% 75% 71% 49% 53% 56% 52% 25% 29% 51% 47% (502) (528) (99) (164) (601) English French All Markets Language of Content Overall (692) Yes No 14 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 11.5: Illustrative Examples 10 9 8 7 25% 32% 38% 5 38% 42% 86% 82% 5% 32% 35% 42% 33% 9% 8% 36% 27% (472) (495) (97) (152) (569) English French All Markets Language of Content Overall (647) More than one example described One example described No examples Number of Articles and Percent Share by Theme and Market Figure 12.1: Small Markets 7000 6000 5000 23% 4000 3000 2000 29% 22% 28% 24% 24% 31% 28% 22% 22% 28% 24% 23% 27% 23% 24% 24% 1000 0 56% 49% 48% 46% 47% 5 51% 52% 53% 49% City Hall Courts Legislatures 15 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 12.2: Medium Markets 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 19% 24% 16% 22% 15% 17% 16% 13% 17% 13% 15% 12% 11% 9% 63% 58% 64% 71% 68% 68% 78% 8 City Hall Courts Legislatures Figure 12.3: Markets With Closures 8000 7000 6000 22% 5000 4000 22% 27% 24% 28% 31% 26% 28% 24% 25% 3000 22% 25% 19% 22% 22% 22% 2000 1000 0 56% 5 5 51% 48% 54% 53% 54% 56% 53% City Hall Courts Legislatures 16 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 12.4: Markets With No Closures 2500 2000 1500 1000 22% 12% 24% 23% 16% 16% 16% 16% 17% 18% 13% 14% 14% 18% 13% 15% 16% 500 0 65% 62% 64% 64% 7 67% 72% 67% 64% City Hall Courts Legislatures Figure 12.5: English Markets 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 27% 24% 26% 27% 23% 26% 22% 24% 22% 19% 19% 22% 25% 23% 23% 2000 1000 0 58% 51% 53% 53% 51% 58% 55% 56% 56% 52% City Hall Courts Legislatures 17 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 12.6: French/Bilingual Markets 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 25% 17% 24% 26% 16% 26% 16% 19% 31% 26% 24% 22% 23% 15% 12% 15% 14% 14% 15% 58% 54% 59% 57% 59% 62% 62% 66% 62% Footnote City Hall Courts Legislatures Average Number of Articles Per Edition by Theme and Market Figure 13.1: Small Markets 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.0 4.5 1.0 3.2 3.2 3.0 2.8 2.9 3.0 2.8 2.9 2.8 0.9 0.9 0.8 1.0 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 2.6 1.6 1.5 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.4 City Hall Courts Legislatures 18 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 13.2: Medium Markets 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.0 3.3 0.6 2.5 2.3 0.6 2.2 2.2 2.0 1.9 0.4 1.7 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.3 1.3 0.4 0.3 1.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 2.1 1.4 1.3 1.5 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.0 0.9 City Hall Courts Legislatures Figure 13.3: Markets With Closures 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.0 4.5 1.0 3.2 3.0 2.7 2.8 2.7 2.8 2.7 2.7 1.0 2.6 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.9 0.7 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 2.6 1.6 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.4 City Hall Courts Legislatures All Themes Included 19 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 13.4: Markets With No Closures 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 3.0 0.7 0.4 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.0 2.1 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 2.0 0.4 0.3 1.5 1.5 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 1.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 2.0 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.5 1.4 1.1 1.0 0.8 City Hall Courts Legislatures All Themes Included Figure 13.5: English Markets 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.0 4.6 1.0 3.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.4 2.4 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.4 2.0 1.9 0.4 0.4 2.7 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.1 1.0 2.2 City Hall Courts Legislatures All Themes Included 20 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

Figure 13.6: French/Bilingual Markets 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 2.7 2.4 2.6 2.4 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.4 2.9 2.8 2.8 0.9 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.6 0.4 2.7 0.6 0.4 2.9 2.8 0.6 1.0 0.0 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.7 1.9 1.7 City Hall Courts Legislatures All Themes Included 21 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM FORUM DES POLITIQUES PUBLIQUES

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