The Conversation Canada and Journalistic Boundaries: A Case Study in the Challenges of Defining Journalism.

This article examines the challenges of defining journalism through a case study of The Conversation Canada, an online platform that blends academic rigor with journalistic style but does not meet the Canadian government’s criteria for a Qualified Canadian Journalism Organization (QCJO). Despite being widely republished by traditional news outlets and involving editorial processes to ensure journalistic standards, only about half of contributing academics consider their work journalism, reflecting contested boundaries around journalistic identity and practice. The government’s rigid definitions, which emphasize employment of journalists and coverage of “news,” affect eligibility for funding and tax benefits, raising concerns about the exclusion of hybrid and innovative media models. The study highlights how these definitional struggles impact public discourse, funding access, and the evolution of journalism in a changing media landscape, suggesting a need for broader, more inclusive understandings of journalism that accommodate diverse voices and formats.