All of the journalists, newsroom leaders, union officials, and academics interviewed for this research confirmed that there are no existing rules surrounding newsroom democracy. Most newsrooms, however, feature story or editorial meetings where journalists, editors, and newsroom leaders collaboratively discuss their coverage of issues and events. While newsroom leaders, such as managing editors or executive producers, have the final say over story assignments and treatments, most journalists interviewed for this study talked about the synergy and collective decision-making that happens at these meetings. One reporter told us there are “no rules”, stressing that editors are keen to hear “great ideas” from their journalists. Many journalists, especially more senior ones and investigative reporters, stressed the freedom they have to pitch and pursue stories, emphasising that their bosses give them considerable latitude to produce rigorous journalism. Media unions often focus their advocacy on working conditions and industrial matters surrounding the rights of journalists. There is a veto right for bylines in many unions’ contracts – that is, journalists can refuse to attach their name to their story. At the national level, an advisory committee of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) offers advice on ethical issues faced by working journalists. While there is no written rule, the journalists we spoke to feel free to pursue a wide range of stories. The choice of executives (editors-in-chief, managing editors, executive producers) who run news organisations is not a democratic one; these positions are determined by the leaders or owners of news organisations. In the case of CBC/Radio-Canada, the president is appointed by the federal government.
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