The NNC and Ryerson

Janice Neil, Chair of the Ryerson School of Journalism, is the newest director at the National NewsMedia Council (NNC).

Established in 2015, the NNC is Canada’s voluntary, self-regulatory outlet to promote ethical and responsible practices within the Canadian news media. Neil and the other 16 members of the board investigate any complaints made against their member media organizations. The NNC’s goal is to help journalists be responsible to the audiences they serve and help the public better understand the ethics and practice of journalism.

Neil has taught at Ryerson for 12 years and, as chair, has also taken on the role of publisher of the school publications. Prior to joining the Ryerson School of Journalism, she spent more than two decades as a news reporter and producer and taught at Carleton University. Neil thinks with this experience, she brings a well-rounded perspective to the NNC.  

“I think as an ‘academic member’ I will bring a perspective about the students who produce journalism here at Ryerson and at campus publications across the country,” said Neil.

The RSJ has a long history with the press council. Under Neil as publisher, RSJ’s two publications—the Ryersonian and the Ryerson Review of Journalism joined in the Spring of 2017.

“The council does fascinating work. Weighing in on decisions that are often at the heart of conversations we have in journalism classes and issues which I faced during my career working full-time as a journalist...issues involving the public's right to know, ethics, corrections, etc.,'' said Neil.

Even before RSJ publications joined the NNC, the RSJ has been heavily involved with the creation of the board. Undergraduate Program Director Lisa Taylor helped establish research on what is accountable Canadian news.

“Several provincial councils had been abandoned. In 2012, Newspapers Canada and other organizations founded research where (RSJ professor) Ivor Shapiro and I looked at how press councils can be more active compared to systems of media on accountability in different countries…(We looked at) what's the purpose of press councils and what did they do,” said Taylor.

Taylor said the national council continues to be effective in shaping today’s reporting.

“The most significant improvement has been having the sufficient funding to publicize their proceedings to let people know about their work.. and letting the Canadian public know it exists.  The council is working hard to stay connected to both the industry and academia,” said Taylor.  

“If it wasn't for the council, we wouldn't really have real, official structures to press accountability in Canada, other than the few public editors/news ombudsman. It's clear that a national newspaper complaints review is needed for the media, for the nation,” said Taylor.

When investigating a complaint, the NNC looks for fairness, accuracy and timeliness in the news and/or opinion reporting that has been brought to their attention. Complaints can range from misattribution issues, biases in reporting or how media organizations cover sensitive issues. The NNC ensures journalistic standards and legal restrictions are enforced in these cases.  

“It’s so crucial that the public has an avenue to take their complaints or concerns with a newspaper, online or magazine story, without hiring lawyers,” said Neil.

Neil’s  main goal is to help the public understand how the media functions and to provide guidelines for journalists to report justly.

“I’d like to help the council’s work reach a wider audience - the public as well as journalism students.To read about the issues that upset, anger or offend some people and how journalism organizations respond,” said Neil.

For more information on how to practise responsible journalism or make a formal complaint, check out The National NewsMedia Council (external link) .