Can We Talk? The Uneasy Relationship between Journalism and Government

Journalists in Nova Scotia and across the country say there’s an increasing lack of communication and openness from government at all levels. It’s hard, sometimes impossible, to get an interview or even a call back from politicians or their communications staff. In Canada, there are recent examples of political leaders at the federal level freezing out reporters. In the U.S., President Donald Trump has favourite reporters and outlets and largely ignores, or even denigrates, journalists from what he calls “fake media” outlets.

It all makes it hard for journalists to do their job of informing the public. And that makes it hard for the public to be informed voters.

In Alumni Hall, on November 5, join moderator Assistant Professor Pauline Dakin to hear this eminent panel explore how governments and journalists interact and how that’s evolving; the impact on public knowledge and discourse when information access is limited and why that matters; and what could improve the flow of information and the relationship between government and journalism, which is so critical for a healthy democracy.

Panelists

Alex Marland is the Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership at Acadia University. An award-winning scholar of Canadian politics and former public servant, he is the author of Brand Command, Whipped, and the new No I in Team: Party Loyalty in Canada. His research explores how governments and parties manage information, enforce message discipline and constrain elected representatives. A frequent media commentator, he provides insight into the evolving relationship between politics, journalism and democratic accountability.

Jean Laroche is a retired CBC reporter who spent 30 of his almost 40 years at the public broadcaster at Province House covering the actions of eight Nova Scotia premiers, including the current one. He retired in 2024. He lives in downtown Dartmouth with his wife Catherine.

Laura Lee Langley is president of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Before joining ACOA, she served for 27 years in the Nova Scotia Public Service, most of that time in the senior ranks. Since 2016 she served as Deputy Minister of the Office of the Nova Scotia Premier, Deputy Minister of Treasury Board, Clerk of the Executive Council, N.S. Public Service Commissioner, Head of the Nova Scotia Public Service, and the CEO of Communications Nova Scotia, concurrently. Prior to this, she led various other departments in a Deputy or Associate Deputy Minister role.