Election post-mortem: Did the media do their job?

Canadians and Americans have just had their say in their respective general elections. What role did the media play in shaping how the campaigns unfolded? Did the partisan blogs, social networking sites and 24-hour news cable change the way the election narratives were formed? Did sartorial choices (i.e. image-softening sweater-vests) and a plumber named Joe get as much media attention as the candidates’ policy platforms? Overall, did the media do their job?

On Nov. 18, Media@McGill will host a special public event to discuss the role of the media in both campaigns and in the post-election period. The event will feature three political journalists, who will share their unique perspectives and lead the public discussion. They are: Manon Cornellier, political reporter for Le Devoir, who will discuss Canadian election coverage in Anglophone and Francophone media; John Ibbitson, U.S. and Canadian political columnist for the Globe and Mail, who will explore both campaigns; and Ndimyake Mwakalyelye, U.S. reporter for Voice of America TV, who will focus on the American elections.

WHAT: Media@McGill presents: The Canadian and U.S. elections: did the media do their job?
WHEN: Nov. 18, 2008, 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: McGill University Faculty Club, 3450 McTavish

Media@McGill is a hub of research, scholarship and public outreach on issues and controversies in media, technology and culture within the Department of Art History and Communication Studies. Through critical monitoring of the media and key issues in media policy, Media@McGill aims to produce new knowledge and foster public awareness of the ethical, political, social and cultural challenges surrounding media and communication.

On the Web: http://media.mcgill.ca/en/node/1307

Interviews with the three panellists may be arranged prior to the event. Please contact:

Allison Flynn
Media Relations Office
McGill University
514-398-7698
allison.j.flynn [at] mcgill.ca