With the federal elections just a couple of weeks away, The Tyee takes a timely look at the issue of the media.

The media has not formed much of the debate in the election campaign so far.

Much of the discussion online has revolved about the related issue of copyright, though the parties have been rather quiet on the topic.

There is a clear need for a debate on the media, given how digital technologies are changing the way people use the media.  The Tyee highlights three areas:

• The increasing concentration of media ownership in Canada
• Attempts by internet providers to shape Internet use by throttling the network
• Cutbacks in the public funding of Canadian cultural media

The Tyee is calling for a public debate on these issues, arguing that:

Once we have a public debate, the Canadian people will not allow the government to make partisan and ideological cuts to arts and media programs. Once we have a public debate, people from across Canada will demand nothing less than an open Internet. Once we have a public debate, Canadians will vote for the media and communications system they deserve, a pluralistic and democratic one.