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The "Professional Journalist Status" is a concept introduced in early 2011 by Quebec Culture Minister Christine St-Pierre. The title would be awarded to qualified individuals within the Canadian province of Quebec, based on a set of criteria yet to be determined, and would allow those awarded it access to specific government information and privileges. It has yet to be established, but would be implemented in order to create a new model of regulation in Quebec media, the idea being to assist the public in distinguishing between journalists wanting to serve public interests from amateaur news gatherers and bloggers. The status was introduced in St-Pierre's 2011 government report entitled New Media Serving Public Interest after she had requested that Ms. Dominique Payette, a former CBC journalist and current journalism professor at the Université de Montreal, conduct a study on the future of news media in Quebec in November, 2009. The "Professional Journalist Status" has yet to be implemented in the province, and has undergone much debate within the past year, a variety of journalists stating in various publications that it would be a blow to freedom of the press. Regulating journalism "has always been subject to dispute: those playing a major role in professional organizations have tended to promote it, while ordinary members of the organizations wanted to keep the journalistic as free and open to newcomers as can be."

The Quebec Media Crisis
There are number of concerns issued by St-Pierre and Payette which reflect job security, the use of the French Language within reporting and the quality of the work itself. Payette discusses the pressures put on journalists who now must compete with unregulated ‘citizen journalists’ and ‘bloggers’ within a media in which revenues are rapidly declining due to advertisers loss of interest in print media content. Advertisers now look to other methods of reaching their audiences in a new era of digital media, thus reducing the number of journalists in public interest reporting.

There is a concern that the introduction of the Internet brings to questions what the terms “journalist” and “journalism” mean; it weakens the image of professional journalists by undermining what it means to be one. Digital media allows journalists to be more vulnerable to market pressures and affects the working conditions and overall quality of content being published, which according to Payette includes fact-checking, because deadlines are tighter. These issues lead Payette and St.-Pierre to target those tied to no particular quality control or organization, using digital media as their platform of choice. Criticisms of the status hold that regulating journalists and pointing the finger solely at bloggers and citizen journalists will not solve any issues in Quebec media.

The Report issued by St.-Pierre devotes a portion to what appears to be an issue in media throughout the world; the consolidation of print and electronic news agencies, which she describes as “another key phenomenon in the current state of the Quebec media industry." Payette states that consolidated media results in unvaried news sources, homogenization of content and monopolization of the advertising market, themes commonly found throughout industries in which conglomerations dominate. She goes on to argue that there are not sufficient laws within Quebec that monitor and limit these consolidations on account of the structuring of Quebec's economy which considers the production of news viable as free trade to be produced by private businesses.

In Canada, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) governs media ownership, but does not regulate newspapers and Internet ownership. From 1990-2005 the percentage of independently owned newspapers in Canada dropped from 17.3% to 1%. Quebecor Media, Canada's largest newspaper publisher, dominates media ownership within the province of Quebec. Dominance of media in a particular region may threaten democracy and freedom of press as a result of the reliance on advertisers to stay afloat. Instead of meeting the needs of the public, the needs of advertisers are met instead. The interests of owners have a direct result on what is put into the realm of public awareness and what remains hidden.

Information in Quebec: A Public Interest
A report, written by Dominique Payette and entitled Information in Quebec: A Public Interest is based on Payette and a working group's findings and was published on January 26th, 2011. The report outlines necessary actions in order to create stability in Quebec's future of news media. The goal of the report was "to analyze the state of professional journalism, the accessibility and diversity of local and regional news sources, the state of news media in Quebec, the use of proper French in the media, and the challenges tied to new media and technology." The report found, amongst other things, that there has been a significant drop in advertising in the media, there is a decline in interest of both the public and advertisers in ‘public interest’ reporting, due to certain economic pressures, journalists’ working conditions are being depleted with more freelance journalists being hired, and finally that although the internet makes news more accessible, it has not been a ‘channel for original news content adhering to journalism standards.’ Payette makes note of a province-wide imbalance between professional journalists and amateur news gatherers, identifies a media crisis ‘shaking all of the industrialized countries’ and determined that government action is necessary to ensure that the supply of information and the conditions of practicing professional journalism do not deteriorate further. In addition to introducing a professional status for journalists Payette suggests all organizations in the Quebec Press Council must earn memberships, the state's spending power should be used to coerce organizations to join by withdrawing provincial advertising from those who will not join and demanding language testing for those who seek accreditation.

Government Proposition
After consulting with several unnamed organizations within the Quebec media industry from February to May 2011, it was determined that in order to combat the impending media crisis and weaknesses in the current news media foundation in Quebec, St.-Pierre must introduce, amongst other initiatives, the development of a ‘Professional Journalist Status’. St.-Pierre claimed in the report that media habits of Quebec residents were rapidly changing along with the ways in which they received their news. This was most evident in Quebecers aged 18-34, who, according to the report, opt for non-traditional news sources. “Information is now being provided by a larger number and wider variety of producers, and especially by the public.” The capability of youth to distinguish between fact and fiction online is becoming an increasingly prominent concern. Trust is put on content without authenticity or monitoring, and is then made widely available to those without essential knowledge and experience to separate truth from deceit. St.-Pierre stated that her main concern was the capability of the public to distinguish between what was and was not considered a reliable news source, which is where the ‘Professional Journalist Status’ would be of greatest aid.

Those who would attain this status must agree to practice journalism according to certain criteria and maintain high ethical standards. They would be subject to being awarded the title not by the government, but by ‘organizations representing journalists’ and in light of a basis of specific criteria. The Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec, (FPJQ), who back St.-Pierre and this movement as a whole, stated that said criteria are to be set by journalists themselves, without government jurisdiction. Journalists would also be responsible for creating a professional code of ethics, and deciding on the penalties for noncompliance with the rules established. It has been suggested that the FPJQ would share the responsibility of delegating titles with the Quebec Press Council.

St.-Pierre confirmed that although she would recommend legislation, she felt that as little government interference as possible was best for the introduction of the new title. "The legislation must not prevent anybody from practicing journalism; rather, it should recognize those who practice journalism according to certain criteria, to be defined.” Also remaining undetermined are the special advantages and privileges given to those with the “Professional Journalist” title, but it has been hinted at in the media that they would have access to particular government documents and information that those without the title would not.

St.-Pierre and the FPJQ, whom of the 58% of members who responded, 86.8% voted in favour of the professional title, were very careful to ensure the government interference would be minimal, and that the independence of journalists and freedom of expression would remain intact and protected. In addition to asking members of the FPJQ, public consultation sessions are being held in 10 cities across Quebec from Oct 7-Dec 15th, the purpose of which to provide answers to any of the publics questions or concerns and obtain helpful feedback.

Claimed Advantages
The establishment of a “Professional Journalist” status in Quebec is said to help protect media standards and aid the journalists and “clear up the public’s confusion” in the face of a current media crisis. Journalists would be in a “better position” when faced with internal and external pressures that stand in the way of their efforts to efficiently serve the public in reporting news. In the New Media Serving Public Interest report, St.-Pierre states that a number of groups consulted in the media industry were in favour of adopting a professional journalist status, though it does not list any names of media organizations consulted, nor the percentage that agreed with the concept.

St.-Pierre claims that public interest media, or news content based on investigations and in-depth reporting is an invaluable aspect of a democracy. It allows the public to make informed decisions on a variety of issues regarding their welfare. By regulating journalism in Quebec and only allowing those with the set criteria to have a professional title, they hope to raise the standards and overall quality of reporting in order to serve the public better. By initiating a professional status for journalists in Quebec the public will be made well aware of whose content they can trust to uphold certain principles and values. They can be reassured that the information they are reading is accurate and upholds ethical standards, rather than having to determine the quality on their own.

New Media Serving Public Interest states that the act would grant benefits or privileges to those who are recognized as professional journalists, though does not state what these might be. Regardless, it would be in a person’s best interest to obtain the title as it promises to maintain journalistic freedom and independence by keeping government involvement minimal, in addition to certain benefits, more job security and optimal working conditions.The FPJQ holds that with the introduction of this professional title, journalists will be better able to report news, defend their rights and maintain the confidentiality of their sources.

Initial Responses
"It is the greatest affront to free expression in Quebec since the creation of the province's infamous anti-English laws. It deserves a resounding rejection"

Immediately after publishing her suggestions, St.-Pierre was met by numerous criticisms from established journalists and publications alike. The Canadian Association of Journalists, National Post and Montreal Gazette issued statements that rejected the suggestions made by St.-Pierre and Payette. Comments were made in-regards to the reality of the media crisis within Quebec, the strain regulating journalists would put on freedom of the press, debates on the necessity and quality of content published by "citizen journalists" and bloggers, and the push towards mandatory french as being discriminatory against many talented journalists with less-than-perfect french language skills and putting ethnic papers at a disadvantage.

In addition to discrimination, regulating journalists appears to be a near impossible task to carry out. To appoint the Quebec Press Council, which has a "reputation for investigating far-fetched complaints...[and] is hardly an oracle of objectivity," the power to delegate titles and enforce criteria would invoke journalists and organizations to refuse to commit. Without any government interference there is no method of forcing any particular journalist or group of journalists to obtain the title, and government interference goes against the initial proposal and threatens freedom of the press. There would have to be a complete restructuring of power within Quebec media, the FPJQ would assist in determining the criteria but a new panel would be required to actually appoint the statuses. An appeal mechanism would also be needed if someone challenged their rejection from the status and the Quebec Press Council would need to be rearranged in order to determine and enforce a code of ethics. This would be incredibly costly and difficult to work out in a way that satisfies all involved in news media.

"In the real world, there's no magic way of separating those likely to produce solid, verifiable news from rumour-mongers." The Toronto Star argues that the type of media a writer uses as their platform has no implication on the quality of the content they produce. The Montreal Gazette took it's stand while stating that the government should reject any suggestions to regulate journalists and discriminate between different types of media. If the goal of the movement is to allow the public to be more informed, it is the responsibility of the government to allow its information to be more readily available. In the question of regulating media, it is difficult to determine where the public interest ends and the private interest begins.

The Canadian Association of Journalists issued their thoughts on the proposal and determined that there is no way the government can help journalists in this manner without threatening them. Journalists have made the choice to work in their professions, whether paid or unpaid, in print or online, for large media organizations or small. The suggestions made by Payette and backed by St.-Pierre are an interference with the freedom of the press. The CAJ questioned how the government had come to the conclusion that the public cannot determine reliable sources for themselves, and believes that this suggestion is an insult to the Quebec public. Credibility, according to the CAJ, does not rest on a title a journalist might possess or where they choose to publish their work, but in the relationship they have built with their readers.

Critics Response to Media Crisis
"What crisis? Too much free expression?"

Though St.-Pierre, Payette and the FPJQ readily identify a media crisis within Quebec which led to layoffs, dispute over labour contracts and company closures, many prominent figures within Quebec media question whether the crisis really exists, or if regulating journalism will be of any benefit to main concerns within print media. Lysiane Gagnon, a writer for La Presse, going so far as to state “it’s a false remedy for a non-existent ailment.” Beryl Wajsman, a writer for the National Post also believes that the acclaimed "media crisis" does not exist within Quebec media, and that free expression and "brave and enterprising writers" will benefit Quebec's culture.

When faced with issues such as conglomeration of media, it becomes difficult for those involved in media to accept that dismissing a new platform, digital media, will solve any issues. Critics state that journalists and the public should embrace self-publication, and that regulation will damage the expansion of a new form of reporting. St.-Pierre and Payette have made strong claims about the current media crisis but have looked to the wrong methods in order to solve issues within the current Quebec media industry. Graeme Hamilton, a writer for the National Post who has published many editorials on the topic, wrote that Quebec's approach is striking because of its belief that regulation will create any sound solution.

An editorial published in the Toronto Star stated that regulating media does not solve any of the real problems that journalists face, and stops the free flow of information and ideas. The writer refers to the crisis as a "perceived problem" similar to other publications which put the word crisis in quotation marks, questioning the validity of its existence. They state that there are a number of issues within journalism today, but regulating journalists will be of no use. Similarly, Chris Selley questioned in his editorial in the National Post what a journalist qualification will do about the problems journalists face. It won't allow media organizations to make any more money, and it won't stop people from publishing articles on blogs.

Freedom of the Press
"Journalism must remain a spontaneous, organic and meritocratic craft, not subject to state regulation."

Publications and individuals reacted most alarmingly to the idea of government delegation in print media. Privileges given to one journalist over another threatens democracy and freedom of the press in itself. "Professional Journalists" would have the upper hand in anything from government information flow to protection of sources. The National Post believes that groundbreaking articles which shed light on government corruption will be the first to be dismissed if journalism within Quebec was regulated. They predict an abuse of the power by the Quebec Press Council if they are given the responsibilities recommended in the Payette report. They also advocate that regulating journalists in addition to being a blow to freedom of speech, would censor any information that could tarnish the view of certain Quebec ideologies and politicians.

St.-Pierre upholds that public interest reporting, which is diminishing due to unregulated journalism, is necessary for a healthy democracy, while critics hold that placing limits on freedom of expression takes away from a democratic state. Selley wrote that a free, well-funded press is essential to a free and functioning democracy. Canadians have a right to the information provided by journalists, "amateurs" or "professionals", that remains untarnished by government influence. Journalists under pressure to meet the requirements set by legislations cannot add to the democracy of a state while serving the special interests of government regulations.

"For centuries, those concerns of the people that the legislature will not address and that the judiciary cannot address and that the executive is too busy to address, have been championed by a free and unfettered press. By controlling who can call himself or herself a journalist, you take the first step to the destruction of freedom." The Montreal Gazette released it's outlook on the proposition by stating that that hallmark of a democratic society is an unregulated press. In it's statement, it quoted the Supreme Court of Canada describing the difficulty of imaging a free state without the freedom of expression. Giving one class of journalists a status denied the other violates the rights of the lower class.

Citizen Journalism
"Amatuer bloggers - "citizen journalists" - should be encouraged, not chilled."

An editorial in the National Post stated that basic rules of journalistic writing and reporting can be taught, but much of the drive and capabilities to rapidly connect fragments of information into something easy for the public to enjoy and understand cannot. It is "an individual talent, curiosity, insight and ambition coupled with on-the-job apprenticeship. " Journalism in itself is an unregulated profession. Blogging is not disreputable or amateur, and that many professional journalists partake in the self-publishing industry because it is the way the print-media industry is headed.

Critics believe that the suggestion that those who publish their work online are amateur is a dated outlook on what is an ever expanding market for news media. St.-Pierre and Payette show a reluctance to embrace new technologies and utilize them to the advantage of journalists instead of dismissing them as inaccurate and unreliable. "It reveals a failure to grasp how quickly technology is changing the delivery of news." When journalists should be looking to technology for solutions, Payette recommends halting the involvement of citizen journalism to preserve a print-media industry which is failing to hold the public and advertisers' attentions.

Mitch Joel, a blogger, writer and professional speaker, believes that the government should pay more attention to where the audience is, which is online, rather than claiming that bloggers are incapable of reporting news effectively and accurately. He proposes that instead of pointing out the "unworthy" bloggers and journalists the government should elevate journalists regarded as "worthy" to a more "professional" status and devise a way to make information readily available to more people. There is no difference between a blogger and journalist in the face of advancing media technology, instead of taking away from journalism, he argues that bloggers add to journalism and aid journalists who use blogs and bloggers as sources in their stories. Furthermore, he believes that blogging and online reporting encourage discourse through their comments section, allowing the public to engage with stories and share thoughts.

Journalism is an ever changing and adapting field and journalists should be prepared to keep up with new technologies and use them to their advantage. Journalists today fill multiple roles and operate on a multitude of platforms, pushing them aside and ignoring the growing reliance of the public on social media and the Internet will not make any issue disappear. The difference between bloggers and journalists is increasingly thin and it is not clear how the plan will address this issue.