Transparency and accountability in Canadian media policy

Transparency and accountability are key elements of media policy in Cana- da. A long tradition of public consultation is embedded in the various pro- cesses that have shaped Canadian media, especially broadcasting. Public consultation is complemented, however, by other aspects of the policy pro- cess: federal-provincial negotiations, Supreme Court rulings, and direct lobbying of policy-makers by industry and civil society organizations. This article reviews some of the highlights of the process, with special emphasis on a landmark study of Canadian broadcasting by the parliamentary Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, which reported in 2003. This study and the government's subsequent response underlines the importance of transparency and accountability for actors who are otherwise once re- moved from the centres of decision-making: artists, creators, journalists and ordinary citizens.