His government’s urgent priority is the defence of Canada’s sovereignty and security in the face of threats from hostile world leaders who would target our country.

“We must be clear-eyed: the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War,” read King Charles. “Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes.”

In the speech, the government focused on multiple imperatives that include strengthening our economic might, military readiness, and international alliances. Absent was the recognition of the battle being fought in our media ecosystem that undercuts democracy.

Our enemies are attacking us where we live. Disinformation and foreign-based propaganda are polluting our ecosystem at a speed and scale once inconceivable. The proliferation of Artificial Intelligence will supercharge it.

Make no mistake: There are far too many actors on social media who, either deliberately or unintentionally, spread lies that create chaos and confusion. Malign actors pump out false information to boost reach that helps them build an army of people who distrust our institutions. Fearmongering is used to cause despair. This toxic brew can trigger anger, scapegoating, and lawlessness.

In her report of foreign interference in Canadian politics, Madam Justice Marie-Josée Hogues underscored the threat. Disinformation “poses a major risk to Canadian democracy,” she wrote after a 16-month investigation. “If we do not find ways of addressing it, misinformation and disinformation have the ability to distort our discourse, change our views and shape our society. … It is an existential threat.”

Hogue focused on overseas threats. Russia, China, India, and Iran are all implicated. The rising danger is from the United States, where the U.S. President regularly spews disinformation.

There are actions Carney’s government can undertake to counteract this poison. A good start would be to have ministers work together. This should include Defence, Foreign Affairs, Public Safety, Identity and Culture, and Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation.

Several of our NATO allies have established agencies to identify, analyze, and counteract the threat of disinformation and other forms of digital attacks. Canada needs to mount a similar effort.

Disinformation thrives when trusted sources of news are undermined or left to wither in an economic environment where media business models have eroded and newsrooms have shrunk.

Public broadcasting should be viewed as a reliable source of news, as well as a platform for national dialogue. In many communities the CBC is the only source standing between local people and vast news deserts.

At the same time, many private news organizations have been acquired by corporations that show little regard for public-interest journalism. They include American hedge funds that have dodged Canadian ownership rules. Others have centralized production at the expense of regional and local connections to the audience.

There are legitimate concerns about independence when governments fund newsrooms. The greater danger is that they cease to exist altogether or are simply unable to produce public-interest journalism. Arm’s-length support, delivered through the tax system, is essential.

The Carney government must commit to greater openness by strengthening access-to-information systems with better resources and strict deadlines for compliance.

Media and the public can hold the government, its agencies, and Crown corporations to account by publishing accurate, factual reports of their activities. 

World Press Freedom Canada urges Prime Minister Carney to mount a staunch defence against disinformation. It is not just about supporting a sector – it is safeguarding Canadian democracy itself.