Lakehead University Knowledge Commons,http://knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca Electronic Theses and Dissertations Retrospective theses 2003 Constructing local culture in a near media monopoloy Humeniuk, Bradley Kevin http://knowledgecommons.lakeheadu.ca/handle/2453/3255 Downloaded from Lakehead University, KnowledgeCommons Constructing Local Culture in a Near Media Monopoly A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Sociology Lakehead University In Fulfillment for the Master of Arts Degree by Bradley K. Humeniuk © April 2003 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. National Library Bibliothèque nationale of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisisitons et Bibliographic Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Ottawa ON K1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre référence ISBN: 0-612-83412-3 Our file Notre référence ISBN: 0-612-83412-3 The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts from it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou aturement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Canada Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Abstract The main objective of this thesis is to examine how the local radio news media in Thunder Bay construct local culture. Two paradigms are used to explain this process: instrumentalism and structuralism. Although other theories can better explain how audiences i interpret messages, this study was not intended for that purpose. The goal was to determine how local culture was constructed by the media despite their organizational limitations. Since this study looks more at the internal structure of these radio news media, it is necessary to review their history and to analyse the governmental policies that influence the creation of ‘local news’. Two hundred and four newscasts were recorded and transcribed from local radio stations CBQT, CKPR, CJLB, and CJSD. Each story was classified geographically and thematically indicating trends and differences between publically and privately owned media. Many themes rank similarly between the public and privately owned media, however, there is greater duplication of stories on the privately owned radio stations, raising questions about governmental policies that attempt to maintain diversity in the news. To address these issues, there is an in- depth historical analysis: (1) to review policies concerning the stations’ commitment to local news content, and (2) to provide a context for understanding how the governing body has contributed to a monopolistic media setting in this region. This research concludes that journalists appear to construct local culture based on a predetermined set of stereotypes. The media construct local culture as a predominantly white, heterosexual population that beholds a ‘pioneering’ spirit towards the region. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Acknowledgements This thesis would not have been possible if it was not for the help and support of many individuals. First, I would like to thank Dr. Thomas Dunk, my supervisor, for his openness and i encouragement. The comments and suggestions of committee members Dr. Sharon Dale Stone and Dr. Chris Southcott were valuable in shaping the final version of this thesis. Thanks must also be extended to Dr. Debra Clarke who graciously agreed to serve as an external examiner. I would also like to extend my gratefulness to Karla Weys from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, who took the time to help me gather historical documents, and Donald Paterson, who granted me access to the former Senator Norman M. Paterson files. Most importantly, I thank my parents, Walter and Victoria Humeniuk for their support and understanding. Were it not for their love and encouragement, I would not be the person I am today. Finally, there are many others who have guided and supported me throughout this process. Please note, you are in my thoughts. 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Theoretical and Methodological Orientations Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 News Theory ................................................................................................................................ 3 Methodology ...............................................................................................................................12 Plan of Thesis...............................................................................................................................17 i Chapter 2: Building Local Media Homogeneity Introduction .................................................................................................................................18 Prior to the Thirties ....................................................................................................................19 The Thirties ................................................................................................................................ 21 The Forties...................................................................................................................................32 The Fifties ...................................................................................................................................35 The Sixties.................................................................................................................................. 43 The Seventies.............................................................................................................................. 48 The Eighties................................................................................................................................ 58 The Nineties................................................................................................................................ 64 Thunder Bay as a Case Study of LMA’s ................................................................................ 69 Twenty-first Century .................................................................................................................75 C onclusion...................................................................................................................................77 Chapter 3: Constructing the “Local” in News Coverage I: Quantitative Content Analysis of the News in Thunder Bay. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 79 Content Analysis in Media Research.......................................................................................80 Sampling Procedure................................................................................................................... 83 Format for Examining D ata ....................... 86 Quantitative Analysis.................................................................................................................86 Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Techniques ...........................................................91 Data Analysis.............................................................................................................................. 92 Whole Newscast..........................................................................................................................93 Primary Themes..........................................................................................................................94 Secondary T h em es..................................................................................................................... 98 Local News .............................................................................................................................. 102 Local Primary T hem es..................................... 102 Local Secondary Themes.........................................................................................................105 Sources....................................................................................................................................... 108 Duplication of Stories .............................................................................................................110 C onclusion.............................................................................. 112 111 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. C hapter 4; Constructing the “Local” in News Coverage II: A Qualitative Content Analysis of the News in Thunder Bay. Introduction