FDA Media Study of the 2012 Alberta Provincial Election (Revised as of April 21, 2013)

FDA Media Study of the 2012 Albert Election
Media Study Completed May 22, 2012
Revised as of April 21, 2013
Executive Summary
The FDA media study focuses on the last two weeks of the 2012 Alberta provincial
election regarding the newspaper, radio, and television media sectors. The FDA
collected data from two major media corporations in each sector and presents the
relevant findings in the following report. The PC Party and Wildrose Alliance Party
had 65.2% of total media exposure and the seven other registered parties had 34.8% of
total media exposure. Five of these seven parties had 4.1% of the total exposure.
These results are similar to the actual election results in terms of percentage of
coverage and percentage of popular vote received, and almost identical in terms of
media and election result rankings of parties. The Alberta Legislature does not
regulate provincial media in terms of election coverage. Therefore, the FDA
recommends reform in media practices that should include some form of regulation
such as a code of media conduct during elections and/or required election coverage for
parties based on, for instance, the number of candidates each party endorses in an
election. The high degree of media concentration in the Alberta press and television
sectors may be a contributing factor to the inequitable coverage of the various parties.

Prepared By
Mr. Stephen Garvey, Executive Director Foundation for Democratic Advancement, Bachelor of Arts
in Political Science, University of British Columbia and Master of Philosophy in
Environment and Development, University of Cambridge.
Purpose of the Media Study
The purpose of the Foundation for Democratic Advancement (FDA)‘s media study (the Study) is to
determine the percentage of election coverage by major media for the nine registered Alberta
political parties. This Study is an extension of the FDA‘s 2012 electoral fairness audit of the Alberta
electoral system, in which Alberta received a failing score of 45 percent for legislation pertaining to
media election coverage.
The goal of the FDA's media study is to give Albertans and other stakeholders objective data on
election coverage by major media outlets and of the nine registered parties during the last two weeks
of the 2012 Alberta Election. Members of the Alberta Legislative Assembly may want to use this
data as a basis for regulating provincial private and public media during the 28 day election period.
The views in this media study are the views of the FDA only. FDA members are in no way affiliated
with Elections Alberta or any of the province's registered/non-registered political parties, or any of
the Alberta media corporations. The Study is an independent assessment based on objectivity,
transparency and non-partisanship. The FDA assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors in
its data collection or inaccuracies in its research of relevant corporate documents.
About the Foundation for Democratic Advancement
The Foundation for Democratic Advancement (FDA) is an international independent, non-partisan
democracy organization. The FDA‘s mission is
to measure, study, and communicate the impact of government processes on a free and demo-
cratic society.
Overall, the FDA works
1. to ensure that people become more knowledgeable about the outcomes of government
processes and can then make decisions that are more informed;
2. to get people involved in monitoring government processes at all levels of government
and in providing sound, practical, and effective suggestions. (For more information on
the FDA visit: www.democracychange.org)
To ensure its objectivity and independence, the FDA does not conduct privately paid research.
However, if you or your organization has an important research idea or are aware of an important
issue on government processes, the FDA is available to listen to your idea or issue and possibly help
raise public awareness by initiating and leading change through report research and analysis. Please
contact the FDA at (403) 669-8132 or email us at info@democracychange.org for more information.
An online version of this report can be found at: www.democracychange.org For further information
and/or comments on this report please contact Mr. Stephen Garvey at
stephen.garvey@democracychange.org

Table of Contents
Introduction 4
How to Read the Report 6
Chapter 1: Alberta Media Corporations in Study 7
Corporate Ownership of Alberta Media 7
Alberta Press Results 17
Alberta Radio Results 21
Alberta Television Results 25
Chapter 2: Overall Media Study Results 29
Chapter 3: Analysis 32
Chapter 4: Conclusion 38
Chapter 5: Recommendations 40
References 44
Appendix 1: Research Methodology 48
Appendix 2: 2012 FDA Electoral Fairness Audit of the Alberta Electoral System,
Media Coverage Audit Results 51
Appendix 3: 2012 Alberta Election Results 55
FDA Media Study Team 56

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Foundation for Democratic Advancement | 2012 FDA Media Study of the 2012 Alberta Election April 21, 2013 R1 Page 4 of 56
Introduction
The FDA‘s study on the Alberta media based findings on non-partisanship and objectivity.
The media study involved three main components:
1) Identify major Alberta media corporations in the press, radio, and television.
2) Collect data on the selected Alberta major media from April 9, 2012 to April 23, 2012.
3) Compile and analyze data.
Using media ownership data for Alberta, the FDA identified the major media corporations in the
press, radio, and television and chose two media corporations in each sector for the Study. This
approach allowed the FDA to focus on corporations with a large market share, rather than
concentrate on every Alberta media corporation.
The FDA data collection team is comprised of five FDA members and each individual focused on a
particular media corporation whether a newspaper, radio program, and television news broadcast.
The collection team used spreadsheets to capture specific election content such as direct reference to
parties and their candidates, interviews, front-page articles etc. In order to improve the accuracy of
collection and analysis, the team re-checked and re-evaluated data results that were inconsistent with
the overall findings.
Members entered media data into a master spreadsheet to determine percentages. To improve the
comprehension of the results, the FDA combined data into the most relevant categories such as total
media exposure in the press, radio, and television, and total media exposure in each media sector.
The FDA analyzed the results in relation and comparison to the 2012 FDA Electoral Fairness Audit
Report on the Alberta Electoral System and the 2012 Alberta Election results.
The report is limited in that it does not include every corporation or interest involved in Alberta
media. However, by covering the major media outlets in each sector, the FDA is able to show
evidence of the percentage of media coverage during the last two weeks of the Alberta Election. The
report is also limited in its focus on the last two weeks of the election period as opposed to the entire
four week election period. The FDA has limited data on the correlation in coverage between the first
two weeks of the election period with the last two weeks. There may or may not be a correlation.
The FDA assumes that the data collected is consistent with the content of all other Alberta media
owned by the media corporations in the Study, and this assumption is supported by the online data.
In addition, the FDA believes that although the Alberta election was characterized by a two party
race this in of itself does not justify the narrow, unbalanced election coverage.
The FDA acknowledges that Alberta private media has no legal requirement to provide the electorate
with broad and balanced election coverage and that the onus is not solely on the media to inform the
public. The electorate should also make efforts to gather information and form conclusions on its
own volition. Yet, the FDA believes that during an election, legislation should mandate broad and
balanced electoral coverage for the public in order for citizens to have a reasonable opportunity to

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make informed decisions on Election Day. (For more discussion on the democratic grounds for
broad, balanced electoral discourse, see the Conclusion on page 36.)
The FDA is a registered non-profit corporation, and therefore it cannot issue tax-deductible receipts.
In addition, the FDA is the sole funder of this report. As a policy to maintain its independence and
objectivity, the FDA does not conduct privately funded research projects. The FDA relies on
donations. If you value this report, please consider donating to the Foundation for Democratic
Advancement to help cover the costs of producing this report and communicating its content to the
stakeholders, and to continue its work in Alberta, Canada, and abroad.

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How to Read the Report
Chapter 1 focuses on percentage of Alberta media ownership in the daily newspaper, radio, and
television sectors. In addition, Chapter 1 shows the media study findings for each media sector based
on percentage of coverage of the nine registered Alberta political parties.
Chapter 2 shows the total media study findings with comparisons, for example, to actual elections
results and number of candidates endorsed by each party. Chapter 4 outlines the FDA
recommendations based on identified issues in media ownership concentration and election coverage
of political parties. In its recommendations, the FDA balances freedom with democracy while guided
by the principle that a fully informed electorate should be the overall outcome of the election
periods.
The Foundation for Democratic Advancement characterized these definitions in relation to the data
collection for the purpose of the media study.
Direct news stories refer to news stories in newspapers, radio, and television that are specifically
about a registered party and/or a candidate(s) of the party.
Indirect stories refer to news stories in newspapers, radio, and television that mention a registered
party and/or a candidate(s) of the party.
Interviews refer to news stories for newspapers, radio, and television where the news organization
questions a representative or candidate of a registered party, or using an interview by another
organization or statement by the representative or candidate of the registered party, for print or
broadcast.

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Chapter One: Alberta Media Election Content
Alberta Media Corporations in Study
Press
Calgary Herald
Calgary Sun
Radio
QR770, Rutherford Show
CBC Radio Calgary, Alberta@Noon
Television
CTV Calgary
Global Television Calgary
Corporate Media Ownership
Press
The Postmedia Network Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Postmedia Network Canada
Corporation, owns both the Calgary Herald and the Edmonton Journal. According to Postmedia
Network's website, Postmedia Network Incorporated is the largest publisher of English-language
daily newspapers in Canada.
Quebecor Media Incorporated/Sun Media Corporation owns the following provincial daily
newspapers: the Calgary Sun, Edmonton Sun, Fort McMurray Today, and Herald-Tribune (Grand
Prairie).
2010 weekly circulation numbers
Postmedia Network Incorporated
Calgary Herald has 914,165 paid circulation.
Edmonton Journal has 756,148 paid circulation.
Quebecor Media Incorporated/Sun Media Corporation
Calgary Sun has 279,724 paid circulation.
Edmonton Sun has 323,410 paid circulation.

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Fort McMurray Today has 10,305 paid circulation.
Herald-Tribune (Grand Prairie) has 28,155 paid circulation.
Other Alberta paid daily newspapers
Black Press:
Red Deer Advocate has 83,987 paid circulation.
Glacier Canadian Newspapers/Alta Newspaper Group:
Lethbridge Herald has 112,622 paid circulation.
Medicine Hat News has 70,452 paid circulation.
Based on these four corporations and their weekly circulation numbers, Postmedia Network has
64.8 percent of the paid daily newspaper market in Alberta, and Quebecor/Sun Media has 24.9
percent. Combined, these corporations maintain 89.6 percent ownership of the Alberta paid daily
circulation.
Table 1 2010 Paid Circulation for Alberta Daily Newspapers
Alberta weekly paid
circulation
2010 weekly
paid
circulation
% of
weekly
circulation
Black Press 83,987 3.30%
Glacier Cdn/Alta
Newspaper Group
183,074 7.10%
Postmedia Network 1,670,313 64.80%
Quebecor/Sun Media 641,594 24.90%
Total 2,578,968 100.00%
Total of Alberta Daily
Market by Postmedia
and Quebecor/Sun
Media
89.60%
In terms of Alberta weekly newspapers, Quebecor/Sun Media owns 32 of Alberta's 118 weekly
newspapers or 27.12 percent of the Alberta weekly newspaper market. Postmedia Network
Corporation does not own Alberta weekly newspapers (Merrell, 2012). Alberta weekly newspapers
reach about 80 percent of Alberta's non-metro households, and have a combined circulation of about
800,000 including the North West Territories (Holmes, 2012). According to Mr. Murray Elliott,

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President of the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association, in a letter to the FDA dated June 1, 2012,
the Alberta weekly newspaper election coverage may seem ―lopsided‖ like the Alberta daily
newspaper coverage (Elliot, 2012). Mr. Elliott argues that the weekly newspaper coverage reflects
the views of the communities the newspapers serve, and that weekly newspaper editors found it
difficult getting information from the other seven parties. In a radio interview of the FDA on May
22, 2012, QR660 News confirmed the same difficulty in getting information from the smaller
parties.
Ownership breakdown of Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association community weeklies
(Merrell, 2012)
55 – independently owned and operated (29 own one newspaper; 16 own 2 to 4 newspapers);
32 – Sun Media (a subsidiary of Quebecor);
18 – Great West Newspaper Group (a co. that started with the St. Albert Gazette in 1961);
8 – Black Press Ltd., (a newspaper company headquartered in Vancouver);
5 – Southern Alberta Newspaper Group (owners of the Lethbridge Herald, Medicine Hat News)
The FDA pie chart captures Alberta daily newspaper weekly circulation percentages. The chart
includes Postmedia Network and Quebecor/Sun Media, which were part of the FDA media study.

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Radio
Alberta Radio Ownership by Company and Station (CRTC Ownership Charts for Canadian
Radio and Television, 2012)
QR770 (including the Rutherford show) is owned by Corus Entertainment, which is controlled by
J.R. Shaw. Corus Entertainment has interests in the following Alberta radio stations
CHED—AM Edmonton (Corus Entertainment)
CKNG—FM Edmonton (Corus Entertainment)
CHQT—AM Edmonton (Corus Radio Company owned 100% by Corus Entertainment)
CISN—FM Edmonton (Corus Radio Company owned 100% by Corus Entertainment)
CKRY—FM Calgary (Corus Radio Company owned 100% by Corus Entertainment)
CFGQ—FM Calgary (CKIK—FM Limited owned 100% by Corus Entertainment)
CHQR—AM Calgary (CKIK—FM Limited owned 100% by Corus Entertainment)
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) owns CBC Radio Calgary (including
Alberta@Noon). The CBC is a Canadian crown corporation; it receives federal funding and revenue
from commercial advertisement. The CBC owns the following Alberta radio stations
CBCX—FM Calgary
CBR Calgary
CBR—FM Calgary
CBX Edmonton
CBX—FM Edmonton
CHFA Edmonton
Other Alberta radio
Touch Canada Broadcasting Inc. (Owned by Charles R. Allard):
1 Calgary radio station
3 Edmonton radio stations
1 Rural radio station
Astral
3 Calgary radio stations
1 Rural radio station
Bell Media Calgary Radio Partnership
Thomas Fung (Fairchild)

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Paul Hill
1 Edmonton radio station
Elmer Hidebrand
1 Edmonton radio station (53.98 percent ownership)
6 Rural radio stations
James A. Pattison
Newcap Incorporated
Rogers Communications Inc.
Vista Broadcast Group Inc.
Table 2 Alberta Radio OwnershipBased on Numbers of Radio Stations

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% of Alberta radio
ownership (based on
number of radio
stations)
Calgary Edmonton Rural
CBC Radio 3 4 0
J.R. Shaw 3 3 0
Touch Canada 1 3 1
Astral 3 2 1
Bell Media 1 0 0
Fairchild 1 0 0
Paul Hill 0 1 0
Elmer Hidebrand 0 1 6
James Pattison 0 0 9
Newcap 2 2 28
Rogers 4 3 7
Vista 0 0 3
Total AB radio stations 18 19 55
Table 3 Percentatge Breakdown of Alberta Radio Station Ownership
Radio
corporations in
media study
% of radio
ownership in
Calgary (based on
number radio of
stations)
% of radio
ownership in
Edmonton (based on
number radio of
stations)
% of radio
ownership
in AB rural
(based on
number
radio of
stations)
Total % of AB
radio
ownership
CBC Radio 16.7% 21.1% 0.0% 7.60%
J. R. Shaw 16.7% 16.7% 0.0% 6.5%
Total AB radio
stations
92

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The FDA pie chart captures the percentage of ownership of Alberta radio including ownership by
J.R. Shaw and CBC Radio, which were part of the FDA media study.
Television

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Alberta Tevision Ownership by Company and Station (CRTC Ownership Charts for Canadian
Radio and Television, 2012)
CTV Calgary is owned by BCE (Bell Media—TV). BCE owns the following Alberta television
stations
CFCN—DT Calgary
CFCN—DT-5 Lethbridge
CFRN—DT Edmonton
CFRN—TV-6 Red Deer
J.R. Shaw controls Global Television Calgary. Shaw Media Incorporated owns the following
Alberta television stations
CICT—DT Calgary
CISA—DT Lethbridge
CITV—DT Edmonton
Other Alberta television
CBC
1 Calgary television channel
2 Edmonton television channels
James A. Pattison
1 Rural television channel
Rogers Communications Inc.
2 Calgary television channels
2 Edmonton television channels
Table 4 Alberta Television Station Ownership Based on Number of Stations Owned

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Alberta television
ownership
Calgary Edmonton Rural
Bell Media (CTV) 1 1 2
J.R. Shaw (Global TV) 1 1 1
Other television
owners
3 4 1
Total AB television
stations
5 6 4
Table 5 Percentage of Television Station Ownership
Television
corporations in media
study
Total % of AB TV
ownership (based
on number of TV
stations)
Bell Media (CTV) 26.7%
J.R. Shaw (Global TV) 20.0%

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The FDA pie chart captures the percentage of ownership in the Alberta television sector including
ownership by J.R. Shaw and Bell Media, which were part of the FDA media study.
Media Study Data Collection Results
Alberta Press
Table 6 Daily Newspaper Covergage of Alberta Political Parties
Alberta registered
political parties
Front page/ non
front page
articles,
editorials in
print
%
AB Liberals 141 17.7%
AB NDP 130 16.3%
AB Party 20 2.5%
AB Social Credit 4 0.5%
Communist AB 0 0.0%
EverGreen AB 9 1.1%

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PC Party 246 30.9%
Separation Party 0 0.0%
Wildrose Alliance 246 30.9%
Total 796 100.0%
Table 7 Percentage Breakdown of Daily Newspaper Coverage of Alberta Political
Parties
Alberta
registered
political parties
Online front page
and non front page
articles and
indirect mentions
%
Total exposure in
print and online
%
AB Liberals 113 17.0% 254 17.4%
AB NDP 112 16.9% 242 16.6%
AB Party 19 2.9% 39 2.7%
AB Social Credit 1 0.2% 5 0.3%
Communist - AB 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
EverGreen AB 4 0.6% 13 0.9%
PC Party 194 29.2% 440 30.1%
Separation Party 1 0.2% 1 0.1%

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Wildrose Alliance 220 33.1% 466 31.9%
Total 664 100.0% 1460 100.0%
The FDA pie chart captures the total print media exposure (including online) of Alberta political
parties from the FDA newspaper data collection.

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The FDA bar chart demonstrates the print media significant bias for the Wildrose Alliance Party and
PC Party, and the bias for the Alberta Liberals and Alberta NDP.

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Alberta Radio
Table 8 Percentage of Radio Coverage on QR770 (Rutherford show) and CBC
Radio Calgary Alberta@Noon
Alberta registered
political parties
Number of news
stories directly
about party
(and/or
candidates of
party) and/or
interviews
%
AB NDP 10 9.1%
AB Party 4 3.6%
Communist AB 0 0.0%
EverGreen AB 1 0.9%
PC Party 45 40.9%
Total 110 100.0%

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Table 9 Percentage Breakdown of Alberta Radio Election Coverage
Alberta registered
political parties
Number of news
stories indirectly
about party or
candidates of
party (Anytime
party or
candidates are
indirectly
mentioned)
%
Total
exposure of
direct and
indirect
stories, and
interviews
%
AB Liberals 63 12.8% 83 13.8%
AB NDP 41 8.3% 51 8.5%
AB Party 5 1.0% 9 1.5%
Communist - AB 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
PC Party 212 43.1% 257 42.7%
Total 492 100.0% 602 100.0%

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The FDA pie chart captures the total media exposure of the Alberta political parties from the FDA
radio data collection.

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The FDA bar chart demonstrates the radio media significant bias for the PC Party and Wildrose
Alliance Party, and bias for the Alberta Liberals and Alberta NDP.

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Alberta Television
Table 10 Election Coverage on Global TV Calgary and CTV Calgary
Alberta registered
political parties
Number of news
stories directly and
indirectly about
party (and/or
candidates of
party) and/or
interviews
%
AB NDP 66 16.1%
AB Party 13 3.2%
Communist - AB 1 0.2%
EverGreen AB 4 1.0%
PC Party 128 31.2%
Total 410 100.0%

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Table 11 Percentage Breakdown of Alberta Television Election Coverage
Alberta
registered
political parties
Number of online
news articles
directly and
indirectly about
party (and/or
candidates of
party) and/or
interviews
%
Total exposure of
direct and indirect
TV stories, TV
interviews, and
online stories
%
AB Liberals 44 16.0% 107 15.6%
AB NDP 40 14.5% 106 15.5%
AB Party 18 6.5% 31 4.5%
Communist - AB 0 0.0% 1 0.1%
PC Party 87 31.6% 215 31.4%
Total 275 100.0% 685 100.0%

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The FDA pie chart captures the total media exposure (including online) of the Alberta political
parties from the FDA television data collection.

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The FDA bar chart demonstrates the television media significant bias for the Wildrose Alliance Party
and PC Party, and bias for the Alberta Liberals and Alberta NDP.

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Chapter Two: Overall Alberta Media Study Results
Table 12 Percentage of Total Media Coverage for Alberta Political Parties
Alberta registered
political parties
Total exposure in
newspapers, radio,
and television in
last two weeks of
AB election
%
AB NDP 399 14.5%
AB Party 79 2.9%
Communist - AB 1 0.0%
EverGreen AB 23 0.8%
PC Party 912 33.2%
Total 2747 100.0%

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The FDA pie chart captures the total media exposure of the Alberta political parties from the FDA
data collection.

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Table 13 Comparison of Total Media Coverage Versus Election Results
Alberta registered political
parties
Percentage of total media
exposure in last two weeks*
2012 Alberta Election results
according to popular vote
1. PC Party 33.2% 43.9%
2. Wildrose Alliance Party 32.0% 34.4%
3. Alberta Liberals 16.2% 9.9%
4. Alberta NDP 14.5% 9.8%
5. Alberta Party 2.9% 1.4%
6. EverGreen Party of Alberta 0.8% 0.4%
7. Alberta Social Credit Party 0.3% 0.0%
8. Separation Party of Alberta 0.1% 0.0%
9. Communist Party - Alberta 0.0% 0.0%
The table captures the overall ranking of total media exposure in the last weeks of the Alberta
Election as compared to election results.
* The percentage is based on the data collected in the last two weeks of the Alberta Election from six
major media corporations.

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Chapter Three: Analysis
The PC Party received the highest total coverage in all three media sectors with a score of 33.2%.
The Wildrose Alliance Party followed close behind with only 1.2% less coverage (32%). Coverage
drops off significantly with the Alberta Liberals and Alberta NDP garnering 16.2% and 14.5% of
media coverage, respectively, 18.7% and 17% less coverage than the PC Party received. After the
Alberta NDP, coverage drops off significantly again with the Alberta Party at 2.9% coverage (30.3%
less coverage than the PC Party).
The PC Party and Wildrose Alliance Party account for 65.2% of the total media coverage (covered
by the FDA study). Together, the PC Party, Wildrose Alliance, Alberta Liberals, and Alberta NDP
account for 95.9% of the total media coverage. The remaining five parties, The Alberta Party,
Alberta Social Credit, Communist Party – Alberta, Evergreen Party of Alberta, and Separation Party
of Alberta, account for 4.1% of the total media coverage. The Communist Party – Alberta had 0.0%
coverage in major provincial media outlets.
The Alberta election results were almost identical to the total media coverage results in terms of
election ranking and similar in terms of percentage of coverage and percentage of popular vote:
1) PC Party (+ 10.69 in popular vote as compared to total media coverage captured by FDA study)
2) Wildrose Alliance (+2.35)
3) Alberta Liberals (-6.32)
4) Alberta NDP (-4.66)
5) Alberta Party (-1.54)
6) EverGreen Party (-.41)
7) Alberta Social Credit (-.30)
8) Alberta Separation Party (-.10)
9) Communist Party - Alberta (0.0)
The media and election results show that major media coverage does not correlate exactly to popular
vote. Yet, media coverage does correlate exactly to overall election result in terms of ranking. In
addition, the media and election results show that parties with the most significant media coverage
had higher (positive) percentage of popular vote as compared to other parties with less media
coverage.
Results in the radio section of the Study had the most disparity as compared with the other media

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areas. Yet, the ranking in this section is almost identical with the election results and the media
results more resemble the election results.
1) PC Party (+1.19)
2) Wildrose Alliance (+1.65)
3) Alberta Liberals (-3.92)
4) Alberta NDP (-1.34)
5) Alberta Party (-.14)
6) EverGreen Party (-.11)
7) Albert Social Credit (-.30)
8) Alberta Separation Party (0.0)
9) Communist Party - Alberta (0.0)
The FDA compares Study results with the percentage of candidates (per party) who ran in the
election. The purpose of this comparison is to determine if there is any correlation between
percentage of media coverage and number of candidates fielded by the Alberta parties.
Table 14 Comparison of Alberta Media Coverage Versus Number of Candidates
Endorsed by Each Alberta Political Party
Alberta registered
political parties
Number of
candidates in AB
election
% of candidates
in election
% of total media
coverage as per
FDA study
PC Party 87 100.0% 33.2%
Wildrose Alliance 87 100.0% 32.0%
AB Liberals 87 100.0% 16.2%
AB NDP 87 100.0% 14.5%
AB Party 38 43.7% 2.9%
EverGreen Party 25 28.7% 0.8%
AB Social Credit 3 3.4% 0.3%
Separation Party of AB 2 2.3% 0.1%
Communist Party - AB 1 1.1% 0.0%
Maximum Number of
Candidates Allowed in
Election Per Party
87
The table shows the disparity in media coverage and number of candidates fielded by each party. If

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each party receives 1.15% of media coverage per candidate it fields, then the percentage of media
would be:
Table 15 Percentage of Media Coverage Based on Number Candidates Endorsed by
Each Political Party
Alberta registered
political parties
Number of
candidates in
AB election
% of media coverage
based on 1.15% per
candidate
PC Party 87 100.0%
AB NDP 87 100.0%
AB Party 38 43.7%
EverGreen Party 25 28.7%
Separation Party of AB 2 2.3%
Communist Party - AB 1 1.1%
Candidate value as %
of media coverage
1.15%
Based on 1.15% of coverage per candidate within 100% coverage divided between nine parties, the

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Alberta parties would have the following media coverage:
Table 16 Percentage of Media Coverage by Number of Candidates Endorsed by Each
Party Versus Media Coverage Per FDA Study
Alberta registered
political parties
% of media
coverage as % of
number of
candidates
% of total
media coverage
as per FDA
study
PC Party 19.9% 33.2%
Wildrose Alliance 19.9% 32.0%
AB Liberals 19.9% 16.2%
AB NDP 19.9% 14.5%
AB Party 10.9% 2.9%
EverGreen Party 7.8% 0.8%
AB Social Credit 0.9% 0.3%
Separation Party of AB 0.6% 0.1%
Communist Party - AB 0.3% 0.0%
Total 100.0% 100.0%
The table illustrates that the PC Party and Wildrose Alliance benefited the most from media coverage
during the election with the PC Party having 13.3% more coverage than under percentage of
candidates and Wildrose Alliance having 12.1% more coverage. The Alberta Party fared the worst
with -8.0% less coverage, the EverGreen Party of Alberta with -7.0%, Alberta NDP with -5.4%, and
the Alberta Liberals with -3.7%. All parties had negative values for coverage under percentage of
candidates except the PC Party and Wildrose Alliance Party. It should be noted that the FDA
assumes that smaller parties would field more candidates in an equitable and fair provincial electoral
system. For the electoral fairness audit results for the entire Alberta electoral system see the FDA
Electoral Fairness Report on the Alberta, 2012.
Under a system of equal media coverage, each party would receive 11.11% of the coverage:

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Table 17 Media Coverage as Per FDA Study Compared to Equal Media Coverage
Alberta registered
political parties
% of total
media
coverage as
per FDA
study
% of equal
coverage
% difference
in actual
coverage
versus equal
coverage
PC Party 33.2% 11.11% +22.09%
Wildrose Alliance 32.0% 11.11% +20.89%
AB Liberals 16.2% 11.11% +5.09%
AB NDP 14.5% 11.11% +3.39%
AB Party 2.9% 11.11% -8.2%
EverGreen Party 0.8% 11.11% -10.31%
AB Social Credit 0.3% 11.11% -10.81%
Separation Party of
AB
0.1% 11.11% -11.01%
Communist Party -
AB
0.0% 11.11% -11.11%
Total 100% 100% 0%
The table captures the severe inequality of dissemination of view points in the actual election, in
which the PC Party and Wildrose Alliance received plus 20% in media coverage (as compared to an
equal system) and the AB Social Credit, Separation Party, Communist Party, and Alberta Party
received minus 8.2% or lower. The Alberta Liberals and Alberta NDP were in the positive zone for
coverage (as compared to an equal system), but more than 15% less than the PC Party and Wildrose
Alliance.

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The FDA scatter chart captures the disparity in election coverage between the actual election
coverage (black symbols) versus election coverage in an equal system (yellow symbols).

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Chapter Four: Conclusion
The Alberta provincial government does not regulate the political content of newspapers, radio, and
television during the election periods (FDA Electoral Fairness Report on Alberta, 2012). Both
private and public media outlets in Alberta determine their own election coverage. With the PC Party
and Wildrose Alliance Party capturing 65.2% of coverage in the 2012 Alberta Election (based on the
FDA study), and five parties capturing only 4.1% of coverage, it is clear in the latter half of the
election that provincial private and public media outlets did not demonstrate broad and balanced
election reporting. The benefit of broad and balanced coverage is to provide a reasonable opportunity
for voters to gather, explore, and examine various sources of information in order to make educated
decisions at the ballot box.* In theory, elections should reflect the decisions of the public as to who
will govern them. It is acknowledged that private media is driven primarily by profit,
viewers/readers, shareholders, and/or ideological, partisan agendas; public media is driven by
viewers/readers and/or ideological, and partisan agendas rather than a concerted effort to inform
voters in the broadest sense. Given the discrepancy between the purpose of elections and the
evidence of this report, the FDA recommends implementing some form of regulation in order to
ensure that Alberta‘s private and public political coverage is consistent with a fully informed
electorate. The FDA concedes that a functioning democracy requires voter responsibility to educate
themselves about parties, candidates, and policy in tandem with information being readily available
by the media. However, it assumes that many voters do not take the required time or effort to
examine party platforms but rely on readily available and convenient newspaper, radio, and
television news.
* With reference to Harper v. Canada (Attorney General), 2004, Supreme Court Justices Iacobucci,
Bastarache, Arbour, LeBel, Deschamps, and Fish JJ. articulate the democratic rationale for equal
dissemination of points of view:
―In promoting the equal dissemination of points of view by limiting advertising of third
parties [or regulating media corporations] who are influential in the electoral process, the
overarching objective of the spending limits [or regulation of media] is electoral fairness....
The right of meaningful participation in s. 3 of the Charter cannot be equated with the
exercise of freedom of expression. The two rights are distinct and must be reconciled. Under
s. 3, the right of meaningful participation in the electoral process is not limited to the
selection of elected representatives and includes a citizen's right to exercise his or her vote in
an informed manner. In the absence of spending limits, it is possible for the affluent or a
number of persons pooling their resources and acting in concert to dominate the political
discourse, depriving their opponents of a reasonable opportunity to speak and be heard, and
undermining the voter's ability to be adequately informed of all views. Equality in the
political discourse is thus necessary for meaningful participation in the electoral process and
ultimately enhances the right to vote....
While the right to political expression lies at the core of the guarantee of free expression and

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warrants a high degree of constitutional protection, there is nevertheless a danger that
political advertising [or media ownership concentration] may manipulate or oppress the
voter....
Promoting electoral fairness by ensuring equality of each citizen in elections, preventing the
voices of the wealthy from drowning out those of others, and preserving confidence in the
electoral system, are pressing and substantial objectives in a liberal democracy....
In their reasons, Supreme Court Justices McLachlin C.J., Major, and Binnie JJ. quote from
Libman, supra, at para. 47:
'Elections are fair and equitable only if all citizens are reasonably informed of all the possible
choices and if parties and candidates are given a reasonable opportunity to present their
positions so that election discourse is not dominated by those with access to greater financial
resources [or greater media access and exposure].'‖
[ ] by the Foundation for Democratic Advancement.
The argument by the Canadian Supreme Court is very clear: electoral fairness is a pressing and
substantial part of democracy and an educated and informed electorate is part of that fairness. It
follows that based on the evidence in this report that Alberta private and public media requires
regulation to facilitate a process that informs citizens of all possible choices. Presenting
comprehensive and extensive information on only two of the nine registered parties falls well short
of that standard, and ultimately does a disservice for Alberta voters.

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Chapter Five: Recommendations
The FDA identified three media regulatory options for Alberta. It recommends that one or more of
these options be considered for future provincial elections. In addition, the FDA acknowledges that
there is a delicate balance between freedom of the press and regulation of the press, however, the
FDA believes that regulation may be necessary to overcome the disconnect between motives of
private and public media and democratic elections solely about the voice of the people. Below the
FDA draws on legislation from foreign countries strictly from a legislative standpoint.
1) Media ownership concentration laws.
Norway, France, and Bolivia have media ownership concentration laws. The purpose of these
laws is to create a plurality of media ownership, and thereby encourage pluralistic media
coverage of elections. However, there is no guarantee that media concentration laws will
result in pluralistic election coverage. Under these laws, it is still possible that media
ownership could still favor the PC Party and Wildrose Alliance Party in Alberta.
An outline of Norway's regulation of media ownership in which significant
ownership positions are restricted, is outlined (The Media Ownership Act, 1999)
Section 10 National restrictions on ownership
A significant ownership position in the market nationally shall normally be
considered to exist:
a) in the case of control through a share of 40 percent or more of the total daily
circulation for the daily press,
b) in the case of control through a share of 40 percent or more of the total viewing
figures for television,
c) in the case of control through a share of 40 percent or more of the total listening
ratings for radio,
d) in the case of control through a share of 30 percent or more in one of the media
markets mentioned in litras a), b) or c), and 20 percent or more in one of the other
media markets mentioned in litras a), b) or c),
e) in the case of control through a share of 20 percent or more in one, 20 percent or
more in another and 20 percent or more in a third of the media markets mentioned in
litras a), b) or c) or
f) when an enterprise controlling 10 percent or more in one of the media markets
mentioned in litras a), b) or c) becomes owner or part-owner of an enterprise forming
part of another grouping controlling more than 10 percent or more within the same
media market (cross ownership).
Section 11 Regional ownership restrictions
A significant ownership position in the media market regionally shall normally be
considered to exist in case of control through a share of 60 percent or more of the

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total daily circulation of regional and local newspapers in one media region.
a) France requires plurality of election coverage through a media code of conduct,
media ownership concentration laws, and an independent and impartial public media.
France restricts press ownership to 30 percent of the market, and guarantees political
parties equal airtime on private and public audiovisual media outlets. In Alberta, the
Postmedia Network Corporation owns 65 percent of the Alberta daily newspaper
circulation, and there is no guaranteed equal airtime or code of conduct for private
and public media.
From the French Embassy in the United Kingdom (Freedom of Speech in French
Media, 2012):
―In France, the state guarantees the freedom of the press and safeguards the
independence of the media by preserving the conditions for diverse opinions and
pluralism in the media. The law prevents excessive media concentration by
prohibiting any one media group from owning more than 30% of daily
newspaper circulation. The Act of 29 July 1881 on freedom of the press provides a
framework for press freedom by setting restrictions aimed at striking a balance
between freedom of speech, protection of individual rights, and public order. In 1984,
the Constitutional Council acknowledged the constitutional value of press freedom
and its necessary role in a democracy.
The freedom of the press has also applied to television since Act 82-652 of 29 July
1982 on audiovisual communications, which ended the state monopoly on television.
The purpose of the various laws on audiovisual communications is to guarantee
media independence and pluralism by establishing rules on to limit media
concentration (Arts. 17 and 41-4 of Act 86-1067). Freedom of speech in the
audiovisual media must not infringe individual rights. Article 1 of Act 86-1067 of 30
September 1986 on media freedom conditions ―the exercise of that freedom… on
respect for human dignity, individual rights and private property, on the plural
expression of schools of thought and opinion, on the protection of minors, on the
preservation of public order and national security and on the standards expected
of a public service‖. The legislation includes special measures to protect minors,
such as the ban on broadcasting programmes for them of a pornographic or violent
nature.
The guidance for public television channels and the agreements signed by private
channels set forth ethical principles of independence and pluralism similar to those
defined in the legislation. The Higher Audiovisual Council (www.csa.fr), France‘s
independent media watchdog, guarantees media freedom. It is not empowered either
to impose or to prevent the airing of a programme, but supervises programme
compliance with the law and channel guidance after it is broadcast. The CSA pays
special attention to programmes for young audiences and to ensuring that the same
amount of broadcast time is allocated to political parties and candidates during
electoral periods. Act 2000-719 of 1 August 2000 on media freedom amends and

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expands the 1986 Act by increasing the diversity of the audiovisual offering, chiefly
through provisions on the introduction of digital terrestrial television and the
establishment of local television stations‖ (Bold by the FDA).
b) Bolivia has media ownership concentration laws based on a constitutional ban on
monopolies and oligopolies. Media ownership is divided equally between private
media, government, and social and indigenous groups:
Privately owned radio and TV usage no more than 33 percent of licenses.
Government radio and TV usage no more than 33 percent of licenses.
Social and indigenous groups' usage no more than 33 percent of licenses (Bolivian
Law of the Electoral System, 2010).
Bolivia's approach overcomes the limitation of Norway's and France's ownership laws
by further guaranteeing a plurality of election content and more diverse expression in
broadcast media. However, it is unclear how feasible the Bolivian approach is
considering the infrastructure and hardware cost of broadcast news outlets and the
limited funds of most non-profit and charity groups.
2) Media coverage based on percentage of candidates endorsed by parties.
The percentage of candidates‘ coverage would be applied to Alberta's 28 day election period. As
mentioned in the report, the FDA provides an example of percentage of candidates for Alberta's
87 electoral districts. Each candidate receives a value of 1.15%.
Table 18 Media Coverage Based on Percentage of Candidates Endorsed

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Alberta registered
political parties
Number of
candidates in AB
election
% of media coverage
based on 1.15% per
candidate
PC Party 87 100.0%
AB NDP 87 100.0%
AB Party 38 43.7%
EverGreen Party 25 28.7%
Separation Party of AB 2 2.3%
Communist Party - AB 1 1.1%
Candidate value as %
of media coverage
1.15%
Based on 1.15% of coverage per candidate within 100% coverage divided between nine parties, the
Alberta parties would have the following media coverage:

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Table 19 Media Coverage Based on Number of Candidates Endorsed Compared to the FDA’s
Media Study Results
Alberta registered
political parties
% of media
coverage of
coverage as % of
number of
candidates
% of total media
coverage as per
FDA study
PC Party 19.9% 33.2%
Wildrose Alliance 19.9% 32.0%
AB Liberals 19.9% 16.2%
AB NDP 19.9% 14.5%
AB Party 10.9% 2.9%
EverGreen Party 7.8% 0.8%
AB Social Credit 0.9% 0.3%
Separation Party of AB 0.6% 0.1%
Communist Party - AB 0.3% 0.0%
Total 100.0% 100.0%
The limitation of percentage of candidates is that there are other factors such as electoral finance
legislation and party registration requirements that determine the number of candidates a party can
present. In addition, when a party fields candidates in all districts, this does not necessarily mean the
party should get equal media coverage as other parties that field candidates in all districts.
3) Political content laws which require fair and balanced media content during elections through a
code of media conduct.
Although there is a code of conduct for press in Canada and New Zealand, adherence is
voluntary and they do not include provisions that apply to broad and balanced election
coverage. In addition, the Canadian Broadcast Act does not include measures that require
broad and balanced election coverage. However, Venezuela requires that election coverage be
―complete and balanced‖, and the Venezuelan National Election Commission is empowered
financially to ensure complete and balanced coverage during elections (Regulation No. 6 of
the Organic Law Electoral Process Field of Propaganda During the Electoral Campaign,
2012):
Chapter III
Social Electoral Propaganda in Social Media

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Financing
The National Electoral Council may finance part or in full, the diffusion of electoral
propaganda in the media of radio, television or printed, in accordance with regulations
established for that purpose.
Impartiality of the media
Article 79. The media, public or private and independent producers cannot make on their own
any type of propaganda aimed at supporting a candidate or a candidate, or to encourage or
discourage voting or vote constituencies for or against any of the nominations.
Obligation to disseminate electoral propaganda
Article 80. The media may not refuse to broadcast election propaganda. In case of doubt or
dispute, interested or concerned may request the National Electoral Council to determine
whether the electoral propaganda meets the requirements of these rules, and its decision shall
be compulsory.
Coverage
Article 81. The mass media and private information will be given a complete and balanced
coverage of related information and without distorting the reality of the campaign. To this
end, observe a strict balance in time and space dedicated to information relating to activities
carried out by the candidate or candidates.
Venezuela's approach requires the media to provide complete and balanced election reporting
and empowers the National Election Council to facilitate and create said coverage where it is
lacking. Its code of media conduct is supported by state intervention where and when it is
required. As long as state intervention is non-partisan and objective, and media corporations
honour the code of conduct, this approach may be effective.
References
About Us. (2013). Alberta Press Council. Retrieved from

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http://www.albertapresscouncil.ca/index.html
Bolivian Law of the Electoral System. (2010). Act No. 26. June 30, 2010.
Canadian Broadcasting Act. (1991). Retrieved from the Canadian Department of Justice
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/B-9.01/
Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (1982). April 17, 1982. Retrieved from the Department of Justice
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/Const/page-15.html#h-38
Code of Practice. (2006-2007). Alberta Press Council. Retrieved from
http://www.albertapresscouncil.ca/code_of_practice.html
Constitution of the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela. (1999). Retrieved from
http://www.venezuelaemb.or.kr/english/ConstitutionoftheBolivarianingles.pdf
Constitution of the Republic of Bolivia. (2009). Retrieved from
http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=189098
CRTC Ownership Charts for Canadian Radio and Television. (2012). CRTC. Retrieved from
website: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ownership/eng/ownership.htm
Daily Newspapers Paid Circulation levels: by Province. (2010). Newspapers Canada.
Retrieved from
http://www.newspaperscanada.ca/daily-newspaper-paid-circulation-data
Election Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta. (2000, c. E-1). Retrieved from the Service Alberta
website: http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfmpage=E01.cfm&leg_type=
Acts&isbncln=9780779733903
Elliott, M. (2012). Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association (AWNA). June 1, 2012 letter by
Mr. Murray Elliott,
AWNA President to Mr. Stephen Garvey, FDA Executive Director. Retrieved from the FDA
blog: http://www.foundationfordemocraticadvancement.blogspot.ca/2012/06/awna-adds-to-
discourse-on-alberta.html
FDA Canadian Provinces Electoral Finance Report. (2012). Foundation for Democratic
Advancement. Retrieved from
http://www.slideshare.net/FDAdvancement/canadian-provincesfda-electoral-finance-
audit-report
FDA Electoral Fairness Report on Alberta. (2012). Foundation for Democratic Advancement.
Retrieved from
http://www.slideshare.net/FDAdvancement/2012-alberta-electoral-fairness-report

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FDA Electoral Fairness Report on Bolivia. (2011). Foundation for Democratic Advancement.
Retrieved from http://democracychange.org/?p=864
FDA Electoral Fairness Report on Egypt. (2011). Foundation for Democratic Advancement.
FDA Electoral Fairness Report on France. (2011). Foundation for Democratic Advancement.
FDA Electoral Fairness Report on Venezuela. (2013). Foundation for Democratic Advancement.
Retrieved from http://democracychange.org/2013/04/2012-fda-global-electoral-fairness-
report-on-venezuela/
Freedom and Democracy. (2012). Foundation for Democratic Advancement. Podcasts. Retrieved
from http://democracychange.org/rss/podcast.rss
Freedom of Speech in French Media. (2012). French Embassy in the United Kindom. Retrieved from
http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Freedom-of-speech-in-the-French
Harper v. Canada (Attorney General). (2004). Supreme Court of Canada. 1 S.C.R. 827, 2004 SCC
33.
Holmes, R. (2012). The Provost News. May 25, 2012 email to Mr. Stephen Garvey, FDA Executive
Director.
Merrell, D. (2012). Alberta Weekly Ownership Information. Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association.
Information received by the Foundation for Democratic Advancement June 4, 2012.
New Zealand Press Council Principles. (2012). New Zealand Press Council. Retrieved from
http://www.presscouncil.org.nz/principles.php
Official Poll Results. (2013). Elections Alberta. Retrieved from
http://results.elections.ab.ca/wtResultsPGE.htm
Radio Regulations. (1986). Retrieved from the Department of Justice Canada
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR%2D86%2D982/
Regulation No. 6 of the Organic Law Electoral Process Field of Propaganda During the Electoral
Campaign. (2012). Retrieved from the Venezuelan Embassy in Canada.
Television Broadcasting Regulations. (1987). Retrieved from the Department of Justice
Canada http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-87-49/
The Media Ownership Act. (1999). Retrieved from the World Intellectual Property
Organization's website http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/details.jsp?id=9667

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Wesley, J.J., & Colborne, M. (2005). ―Framing Democracy: Media Politics and the 2004
Alberta Election.‖ presented at Annual Meeting of the Canadian Political
Science Association, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario. Retrieved
from http://www.cpsa-acsp.ca/papers-2005/Wesley,%20Jared.pdf
Appendix 1
Media Study Methodology
The methodology is comprised of two major components: research and data collection. The FDA

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consulted Dr. Mark Wolfe, Communications Specialist from Mount Royal University on the
methodology of its media study.
Research
The FDA Study focuses on Alberta major media in the newspaper, radio, and television sectors
(including online). This approach targets large sectors of the market in order to form a reasonable
picture of what occurred in the media during the Alberta Election. The FDA researched media
ownership in each sector, and selected media organizations with significant ownership. In the
newspaper and television sectors, due to large ownership concentrations and few media corporations,
the FDA was able to identify significant media corporations. However, the radio sector proved
difficult due to the large number of ownership groups. The FDA chose two significant radio
corporations with 14.1% of the total Alberta radio market. There are twelve major Alberta radio
corporations.
The FDA media study is limited to two corporations per media sector. Therefore, especially in the
case of the radio sector, the media results in terms of determining the percentage of election
coverage per party are limited. The FDA accepts this limitation, and it will expand the number of
corporations in future Alberta media studies especially in the radio sector.
Data Collection
A five-person team, comprised of FDA members and guided by non-partisanship and objectivity,
conducted the Study‘s data collection. Each member of the team is responsible for tracking a
particular news production whether a newspaper, radio show, or television news program. In
addition, members record data into spreadsheets, and recheck data with media sources in case of
discrepancy with overall data entries. Completed data from each member is then compiled into a
master spreadsheet and used for analysis.
In the case of newspapers, the FDA focuses on the following categories
Number of front page articles about party and/or candidate of party
Number of front page articles about party and/or candidate of party which includes photo of
party and/or candidates

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Number of non-front page articles about party and/or candidates of party
Number of editorials about party and/or candidates of party
Number of online front page articles about party and/or candidates of party
Number of online non-front page articles about party and/or candidates of party
Number of times online, party is mentioned and/or candidates of party. Track per online
article (and not per number of times mentioned in article)
In the case of radio and television, the FDA focuses on the following categories
Number of news stories directly about a party (and/or candidates of parties)
Number of news interviews of Alberta party representatives/candidates
Number of news stories indirectly about party or candidates of party (Anytime party or
candidates are indirectly mentioned)
Number of online (television) news stories directly about a party (and/or candidates of a
party)
For each news story, the FDA recorded one mark for direct (if directly about a party) and one mark
for indirect mention; regardless of how many times the story mentioned the party. In the case of
radio, the Study considered public phone-in calls indirect mentions, and each phone-in caller
resulted in a single recorded mark. If a caller mentioned two separate issues, two marks were
recorded, and if a caller mentioned several parties, several marks were given.
The FDA chose not to track positive and negative news stories, because of the subjectivity involved
in determining these stories. What one candidate or party considers a positive news story, another
segment of the voting population might perceive as a negative portrayal or having a negative
connotation. Differences in values, beliefs, or ideology could cause this difference in perception. It is
possible that a poor poll result for a party may have the positive effect of motivating the party's
candidates and supporters to do more, or perhaps a positive poll result for a party may cause
complacency amongst the party's candidates and supporters.
The FDA assumes that in a democracy, some, although limited, election coverage is better than no
election coverage. Obviously, a news story about a serious scandal by a party's leader may have
significant electoral consequences; whereas a news story about the subjective interpretation of a
candidate's comments may have insignificant consequences. The PC Party and Wildrose Alliance
Party, which received 65.2% of total election coverage, were the only parties to receive higher
percentage of popular vote than their percentage of media coverage.
Limitations
The FDA media study is limited to the last two weeks of election. Therefore, it is possible the study
results may not correlate to the first two weeks of the election. However, this fact does not cancel out
the evidence of bias coverage in the last two weeks of the election. Although the Alberta election

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was characterized by a two party race, the FDA does not accept this as justification for the biased
coverage, because the emphasis should be on parties having a reasonable opportunity to present their
positions, policies, backgrounds etc. so that ultimately Alberta voters are reasonably informed of all
the possible choices. Was the two-party race a product of the biased media and/or unfair electoral
finance laws, or a product of the will of Albertans?
The Study is also limited by covering only two major media corporations per media sector, and
focusing on media corporations from Calgary. It is possible that coverage from the Edmonton and
rural areas may not correlate to the coverage of the Calgary area. The FDA assumes that the content
of news outlets in the Study is reasonably consistent with their corporations' other Alberta news
outlets. The FDA data from online news sources shows a correlation in media content between the
Edmonton and rural areas and the Calgary area. To strengthen this correlation, the FDA
acknowledges that future media studies should include news outlets from Calgary, Edmonton, and
rural Alberta.
Appendix 2
2012 FDA Electoral Fairness Audit Results for Political Content of Alberta Media
This chapter focuses on Canada‘s media laws and the FDA's audit of them. Based on the concepts of
egalitarianism and political liberalism, the FDA audit team examined media laws according to the

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standard of impartial and balanced political coverage before, during and after a campaign period (see
Definition of Key Terms and Research Methodology for further explanation). Table 2 below shows
the FDA‘s audit variables, their corresponding audit weights, and results:
Table 20 Alberta Media Election Coverage Audit Results
Media Election Coverage
Section Variables
% Subsection
Audit Weight
Numerical Sub-
section Audit
Weight
Audit Re-
sults
% Results
Broad and Balanced Elec-
tion Coverage
30% 3.0 0.0 0.0%
Media Ownership 15% 1.5 0.0 0.0%
Survey/Polls 5% 0.5 0.5 100%
Freedom of Media 40% 4.0 4.0 100%
Press Code of Prac-
tice/Conduct
10% 1.0 0.0 0.0%
Variables from Other Sec-
tions
n/a n/a n/a n/a
Total 100% 10 4.5 45%
Broad and Balanced Political Coverage
Audit Questions
1) During the campaign period, is the media (private and public) required legally to pub-
lish/broadcast broad/balanced coverage of registered candidates and parties?
2) Outside of the campaign period, is the media legally required to publish/broadcast pluralis-
tic/balanced coverage of registered parties?
3) If the media is legally required to publish/disseminate broad and balanced political coverage, are
there reasonable monitoring and penalty mechanisms in place?
Legislative Research
There are no provincial requirements that radio and television broadcasters have to be non-partisan
and balanced in their electoral coverage (Radio Regulations, Article 6, 1986; Television
Broadcasting Regulations, 1987).
Freedom of the press and a non-enforceable Code of Practice through the Alberta Press Council
Alberta guides media conduct (Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982; Code of Practice, 2006/2007).
Media Ownership Concentration Laws
Audit Questions

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1) If there are media concentration laws, are they effective in causing a plurality of political dis-
course?
2) If there is no legal requirement of media plurality, impartiality, and balanced content or media
ownership concentration laws, are there any other laws that are effective in causing a plurality of
political discourse before and during an election period?
Alberta has no media concentrations laws, which would support plurality of electoral discourse.
FDA researchers could find no media concentration laws. (In Norway, France, and Bolivia, there are
media ownership concentrations laws that support the plurality of electoral discourse (FDA Electoral
Fairness Audit Report on Bolivia, 2011; FDA Electoral Fairness Report on France, 2011; The Media
Ownership Act, 1999).
Surveys/Polls
Audit Question
1) Are there reasonable public disclosure requirements on surveys and polls in terms of their
methodology, data, and funder?
Election surveys must include information regarding who sponsored the survey, who conducted the
survey and on what date, the population that the sample was drawn from, the number of people
polled, and the margin of error (Election Act, Article 135.2).
Survey conductors must clarify if the survey does not employ recognized statistical methods
(Election Act, Article 135.3).
During the 'blackout period' 24 hours before the election, the press cannot print or broadcast
previously unreleased election survey results (Election Act, Article 135.4). (In Bolivia, election
propaganda including polls and surveys are not allowed 48 hours prior to the Election Day (FDA
Electoral Fairness Report on Bolivia, 2011). In France, there is no commercial political
advertisement 3 months prior to an election period and election propaganda during a campaign
period must allow candidates adequate time to respond (FDA Electoral Fairness Audit Report on
France, 2011). In Egypt (under Mubarak), polls and surveys are not allowed 7 days prior to the
Election Day (FDA Electoral Fairness Report on Egypt, 2011).
At any time, the media can transmit survey results previously released to the public prior to the
‗blackout period‘ (Election Act, Article 135.4).
Freedom of the Media
Audit Question

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1) Does constitutional or legislative law establish freedom of the media (including journalists)?
Television broadcast licensees cannot broadcast anything which contravenes the law or exposes
anyone to discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability. In
addition, licensees cannot broadcast anything false or misleading (Television Broadcasting
Regulations, Article 5, 1987).
Radio broadcasters must maintain a program log for one year, which will contain content and subject
information for each program or advertisement aired. This log must be available to a commission
upon request (Radio Regulations, Article 8, 1986).
There is freedom of the Alberta press, radio, and broadcasters (Charter on Rights and Freedoms,
1982).
There are no legislative restrictions on the journalistic profession in carrying out work.
The FDA could find no legislative provisions that guarantee journalists‘ access to government
sources, representatives, or officials.
Press Code of Practice/Conduct
Audit Questions
1) Does a Code of Practice/Conduct that supports impartial, balanced electoral coverage guide the
press?
2) If a Code of Practice/Conduct that supports impartial, balanced electoral coverage guides the
press, is the Code of Practice/Conduct enforceable?
Freedom of the press and a non-enforceable Code of Practice through the Alberta Press Council
Alberta guides media conduct in Alberta (Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982; Code of Practice,
2006/2007).
There are no provisions in the Alberta Press Council‘s Code of Practice that require non-partisan and
balanced electoral coverage (Code of Practice, 2006/2007).
The Alberta Press Council‘s Code of Practice has provisions for a right of reply, but the Council does
not enforce the Code. Council does not monitor press companies, rather, assumes they have their
own codes of practice and does not dictate what to publish (About Us, 2013).
Analysis

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Based on legislated freedom of the media and disclosure requirements on survey/polls, Alberta
scored 45 percent for electoral fairness in media legislation by the FDA. FDA matrices weigh
freedom of expression the highest due to its relevance to democracy. In the media section, freedom
of the media represents 40 percent of the total score and Alberta received full percentage points in
this area. However, FDA Freedom and Democracy podcasts revealed that freedom alone cannot
guarantee democracy (Freedom and Democracy, 2012). Without monitors to ensure equality,
freedom of the media will allow the most powerful and wealthy individuals and organizations to
dominate the political process. The FDA concludes that Alberta does not monitor freedom of the
media in order to guarantee equality.
There is no legislative requirement in Alberta for impartial, balanced or pluralistic political media
coverage. There are no media concentration laws or equivalent to encourage a pluralistic media
sector and prevent significant ownership concentrations. There are no public subsidy measures to
promote unbiased campaign coverage, and ultimately, balanced electoral discourse. The Alberta
Press Council's Code of Practice does not mandate impartial/balanced political or campaign
coverage. These findings suggest that Alberta's media is susceptible to partisan, imbalanced, and
limited political and campaign coverage. A media network with significant ownership rights in
television, radio, and the press could dominate electoral discourse, just as a media ownership
oligopoly with similar viewpoints could do likewise. Alberta legislation allows for this possibility, as
demonstrated in the 2004 Alberta Provincial Election. Election coverage mentioned the the
Progressive Conservatives 58% of the time, the Liberals 16% of the time, and the NDP only 12% of
the time (Wesley & Colborne, 2005).
The FDA argues that an electorate that is informed in the platforms of all relevant political parties
will greatly impact the outcome of the election. It is essential for Alberta's democracy to have, at
minimum, balanced and pluralistic campaign coverage. There are public policy options available as
illustrated by media ownership concentration laws in Norway, France, and Bolivia, or legal
requirements for impartial political coverage and public measures to ensure fair and balanced
campaign coverage in Venezuela (FDA Electoral Fairness Report on France, 2011; FDA Electoral
Fairness Report on Bolivia, 2011; FDA Electoral Fairness Report on Venezuela, 2013).
Appendix 3
2012 Alberta Provincial Election Results
1) PC Party 61 seats, 43.89% (567, 191 votes)
2) Wildrose Alliance Party 17 seats, 34.35% (442, 467 votes)

______________________________________________________________________________
3) Alberta Liberal Party 5 seats, 9.88% (127, 662 votes)
4) Alberta NDP 4 seats, 9.84% (126, 742 votes)
5) Alberta Party, 0 seats, 1.36% (17, 171 votes)
6) Evergreen Party of Alberta 0 seats, .39% (5, 079 votes)
7) Alberta Social Credit 0 seats, 0% (294 votes)
8) Communist Party-Alberta 0 seats, 0% (210 votes)
9) Separation Party of Alberta 0 seats, 0% (68 votes)
(Official Poll Results, 2013).
FDA Media Study Team
FDA Researchers
Mr. Michael Fabris, Bachelor of Accounting, Brock University.
Mr. Stephen Garvey, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of British Columbia and
Master of Philosophy in Environment and Development, University of Cambridge.

______________________________________________________________________________
FDA Data Collection Team
Ms. Sam Casselman, 1st
year Political Science and Law and Society, University of Calgary.
Mr. Tom Kerwin, Master of Environmental Studies, York University.
Mrs. Liza Valentine, Master of Architecture, University of Calgary.
Report Writer
Report Reviewers
Mr. Shane Donovan, 4th
year Political Science, University of Calgary.
Mr. Tom Kerwin, Master of Environmental Studies, York University.
Mr. Dale Monette, Bachelor of Commerce, University of Saskatchewan and Master of Accounting
(in progress), University of Saskatchewan.
Mrs. Lindsay Tetlock, Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, University of Calgary and Master
of Arts in Historical Studies, University of Calgary.
Mr. Mark Schmidt, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Calgary.

FDA Media Study of the 2012 Alberta Provincial Election (Revised as of April 21, 2013)

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