Media Bias and Underrepresented Groups
Funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Media Bias and Underrepresented Groups Project (2020-2022) aims to improve our understanding of the impact of Canadian news media misrepresentation on Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit), Muslim and Jewish communities; improve our understanding of the form and extent of Canadian news media misrepresentation of Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit), Muslim and Jewish communities; and promote practices in Canadian news media organizations that will contribute to more accurate representation of Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit), Muslim and Jewish communities.
The project is led by the Diversity Institute and partners at the Urban Alliance on Race Relations. Our community partners include the Black Business and Professional Association, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, JSpace News, the National Council of Canadian Muslims, Midaynta Community Services and Welcome Home TO. Participating media partners which will receive an organizational assessment and training include Toronto Star, CBC, the Conversation, and IT World Canada.
University research could point the way to more inclusive journalism
You can read more about the project in a recent Toronto Star article here (external link, opens in new window) .
Recruitment Notice
We are currently recruiting participants for interviews and focus group discussions!
Are you based in Ontario, British Columbia, or Quebec? Are you over the age of 18 years? Do you identify as Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit), Muslim and/or Jewish? You may be eligible to participate in one of our focus groups discussions!
Are you a journalist living or working in Ontario, British Columbia or Quebec? Do you identify as Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit), Muslim, and/or Jewish? Have you worked with a mainstream Canadian news media outlet for at least 6 months? You may be eligible to participate in an interview!
For more information, or to indicate interest, please email Sanaa Ali-Mohammed, Research Assistant, Diversity Institute at sanaa.ali.mohammed@torontomu.ca.
The primary researcher on this study is Dr. Wendy Cukier, Director, Diversity Institute.
