Hosted at Maison Radio-Canada, the panel included heavy-hitters of Canadian Media Marie-Maude Denis and Alexis De Lancer, and Serge Blais (BA '84, Executive MBA '11) from uOttawa. Their conversation explored the challenges facing modern journalism and the role of public institutions in maintaining democratic integrity.
Here are five key takeaways from the discussion:
1. Disinformation is more than just fake news
Panellists emphasized that fighting disinformation goes beyond simple fact-checking. “Our mission is not only to fact-check but also to understand the mechanisms behind disinformation and provide people with the tools to combat it,” said Alexis De Lancer, journalist at Radio-Canada. He warned of the growing role of artificial intelligence in amplifying misleading narratives, fuelling the polarization of public discourse.
2. Journalistic integrity and institutional trust are under threat
Marie-Maude Denis, investigative journalist at Radio-Canada (on the television show Enquête), highlighted how disinformation erodes public trust in both the media and democratic institutions. “Canada isn’t doing enough to regulate the media and combat disinformation, especially in the face of the influence [Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft] have on television,” she said. With tech giants controlling the spread of information, journalists must fight harder than ever to uphold their credibility and reach audiences.
3. Public institutions must play a role in combatting disinformation
Serge Blais, executive director of the University of Ottawa Professional Development Institute, has also been an advocate for studying the impact of disinformation, particularly in areas like climate change and public health. “Disinformation creates doubt and affects people’s understanding of complex issues like vaccination,” he explained. However, he noted that governments are often hesitant to regulate disinformation for fear of being perceived as suppressing free speech.
4. Social media is reshaping how news is consumed
The discussion also explored how younger generations primarily consume news through social media, complicating efforts to combat false information. “Media organizations must have a presence on social networks, but that means adopting their language,” said De Lancer. He pointed out that countries like France are ahead of the curve in educating young people on media literacy — an approach that Canada could adopt.
5. Artificial intelligence is a double-edged sword
AI was a recurring theme in the conversation. While it can analyze vast amounts of data, it also enables the rapid spread of false information. “AI is already part of the solution, but it’s also a double-edged sword,” Blais stated. Denis added that the media should approach AI with caution, even proposing the idea of “AI-free” journalism to maintain credibility.
The panel concluded with a call to action for media professionals, policymakers and the public to work together in safeguarding truth and trust in journalism. “It’s important to maintain public trust in the media and institutions,” Denis emphasized. While disinformation remains a major challenge, proactive education, regulatory measures and responsible journalism can help ensure democracy remains resilient in the digital age.