Policy Implications of Explanatory Journalism


Using The Conversation Canada as a case study, this team is evaluating the use of explanatory and non-profit journalism by policymakers and the effectiveness of these forms of journalism in influencing public policy. The project will assess how explanatory journalism is used in the Canadian policymaking process, what sources and channels policymakers use, and how explanatory journalism flows through those networks

The team will develop recommendations and workshops aimed at both journalists and policymakers around how to access and engage with explanatory journalistic content. 

Research Team

Elizabeth Dubois Phd

Associate Professor

Department of Communication, University of Ottawa

Florian Martin-Bariteau Phd

Associate Professor

Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, Director of the Centre for Law, Technology and Society, University of Ottawa

Theme News

Dubois and Tworek honoured as emerging scholarly leaders

Dubois and Tworek honoured as emerging scholarly leaders

Dr. Elizabeth Dubois and Dr. Heidi Tworek have been elected to the College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists …
Behind the Bylines: Featuring Our Research Assistants

Behind the Bylines: Featuring Our Research Assistants

By: Zachary Andrade Masahda Lochan For all the barriers that are instated in modern journalistic settings, the first salve Masahda …
Behind the Bylines: Featuring Our PhD Researchers

Behind the Bylines: Featuring Our PhD Researchers

By: Zachary Andrade Stuart Duncan Stuart Duncan, a PhD student and Lab contributor, is attuned to the miniature. Within the …

Theme publications

Season 7 Episode 6 – Canadian Election Laws with Mike Pal Wonks and War Rooms

In this episode, Elizabeth talks to Mike Pal, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, about election laws in Canada. Elizabeth and Mike discuss the laws and institutions that govern elections in Canada, including the Canada Elections Act and Elections Canada.   They discuss threats to election integrity and security posed by new technologies in an age of democratic decline. Elizabeth and Mike also delve into the threat of foreign interference, voter privacy in big data elections, and a changing media environment prone to misinformation and disinformation. They close out by talking about artificial intelligence (AI), specifically its potential to transform our electoral landscape and how we should best prepare to ensure our laws and institutions continue to bolster public trust in our democracy. Additional ResourcesThroughout the episode, Mike and Elizabeth reference the Canada Elections Act to understand part of Canada’s legal regime around election integrity and security.Mike cites the American Bush v. Gore, 531 U.S. 98 (2000) case as an example of the importance of election laws as a way for citizens to exercise their political rights. Elizabeth discusses the need to begin mapping out the role of technology in election security laws in Canada,  including potential threats to elections and how election laws might then be updated or changed. For more information, consult: Election Integrity and Security.To listen to our episode on Foreign Interference at the Nomination Level, consult: Season 7 Episode 4 – Foreign Interference at the Nomination Level with Conner Coles.Mike mentions how there are privacy rules of various kinds, but political parties federally are an exception, to learn more consult: Guidance for federal political parties on protecting personal information.To  listen to episodes from our season on political influencers, consult: Season 6 of the Wonks and War Rooms podcast. Elizabeth and Mike also reference the Elections Modernization Act to understand the importance of updating laws to protect election integrity and security. Mike mentions the ‘Big Lie”; the idea of claiming without justification or without evidence that the electoral system is rigged on one side or the other. ContributorsHost: Elizabeth DuboisResearch Lead: Michelle RodriguesTranscript: Michelle Rodrigues Audio Editing: Ayman NaciriTranslation: Els Thant & Helena LegaultPublishing and Promotion: Helena Legault & Michelle Bartleman Producer: Michelle Hennessey Check out www.polcommtech.ca for annotated transcripts of this episode in English and French.
  1. Season 7 Episode 6 – Canadian Election Laws with Mike Pal
  2. Newsletters in a High-Choice Media Environment with Nick Taylor-Vaisey
  3. Foreign Interference at the Nomination Level with Conner Coles
  4. Astroturfing with Patrícia Campos Mello
  5. Theory of Planned Behaviour with Melanie Paradis
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