Canadians Think Their Media Could Be Hacking Phones, Too

Only 16 per cent of Canadians think that journalists here wouldn't lower themselves to News-of-the-World-type tactics.

The News of the World phone-hacking scandal that rocked the British press, government, and police has led to a lot of Canadians thinking the media on this side of the ocean engages in similar such tabloid behaviour. A new poll finds that 40 per cent of respondents believe the Canadian media also commit illegal acts such as hacking voicemails for scoops, while another 44 per cent said they were unsure if that was the case. That leaves just 16 per cent of respondents who said they didn't think the Canadian media would stoop so low to find their stories. More than half – 56 per cent – of respondents also said they think journalists should have to have professional accreditation before they're allowed to work. So ... despite no evidence suggesting that Canadian journalists would employ these tactics, a practically non-existent tabloid culture, minimal infatuation with celebrities, a generally staid – if dedicated – national press, and rigourous editorial practices at all the country's newspapers and television broadcasts, fewer than one in five Canadians are certain journalists do their work legally. And we thought we were cynical ...