Are Politicians Avoiding Tough Interviews?
🎧 Podcast Episode 188 with CTV Power Play Host Mike Le Couteur
The role of journalism in holding politicians accountable has never been more critical, yet securing interviews with key political figures is increasingly difficult.
CTV News’ senior political correspondent Mike Le Couteur joins to discuss the state of political accountability, the challenges facing traditional media, and the growing tension between politicians and the press.
The Decline of Political Accountability
Mike LeCouture has spent years pressing politicians for answers, but as he notes, the job is getting harder. Politicians today are more selective than ever about where they choose to speak, often sidestepping difficult interviews with legacy media in favor of friendlier platforms or carefully curated social media messages.
"Political accountability is not just about what a politician says today, but how it compares to what they said yesterday, last week, or last year," LeCouture explained. "Our job is to make sure those statements align—and if they don’t, to ask why."
However, asking tough questions is only effective if politicians are willing to engage. Increasingly, many are choosing to avoid traditional media and opting for platforms where they can control the narrative without facing real scrutiny.
Why Are Politicians Avoiding Traditional Media?
LeCouteur points out that the media landscape has dramatically changed. In the past, politicians needed mainstream news channels to reach the public. Now, they have direct access to their audiences through social media, podcasts, and niche platforms.
"They have their own channels. They have their own X (Twitter) pages where they are reaching their viewers," LeCouteur noted. "A lot of times, they don’t think they need to speak to us anymore."
This shift is evident in recent political strategies:
Pierre Poilievre, Conservative leader, has favored independent podcasts and alternative media while limiting his availability to traditional journalists.
Mark Carney, a potential Liberal leadership candidate, chose international media like the BBC and Jon Stewart over Canadian networks for key interviews.
Chrystia Freeland, another Liberal leadership candidate appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, though once accessible to legacy media, has increasingly turned to carefully selected podcast appearances over traditional year-end interviews.
While new media offers exciting opportunities for long-form, unfiltered conversations, the lack of challenging questions raises concerns. Politicians can pick and choose where they appear, avoiding the scrutiny of seasoned journalists trained to hold them accountable.
The Danger of a Politician-Driven Media Strategy
This shift in media engagement may be strategically beneficial for politicians, but it comes at a cost to democracy. Traditional media, despite its flaws, operates within a framework of journalistic ethics, requiring politicians to answer tough questions and defend their policies.
"If you’re running for public office, your job is to be accountable to the people," LeCouteur stated. "Choosing only ‘safe’ interviews is not accountability—it’s public relations."
The consequences of politicians avoiding tough interviews include:
Erosion of Public Trust – When politicians dodge difficult questions, the public becomes more skeptical of their honesty and transparency.
Lack of Policy Scrutiny – Key policies and decisions go unchallenged, leading to uninformed or misled voters.
Increased Political Polarization – Without balanced discussions, politicians can tailor their messages exclusively to their base, deepening divisions.
How Can We Encourage Political Accountability?
Politicians must recognize that facing tough questions is part of leadership. If they truly believe in their policies, they should be willing to defend them in front of a neutral, professional interviewer. Avoiding difficult interviews suggests either a lack of confidence or a lack of substance behind their messaging.
As voters, we should:
Demand transparency – Politicians should be willing to speak to both traditional and independent media.
Challenge media consumption habits – Relying solely on one-sided news sources limits our ability to think critically.
Support ethical journalism – Whether through traditional media or well-researched podcasts, we must prioritize sources that hold leaders accountable.
A Test of Leadership
In the end, a politician's ability to face tough questions is a test of their leadership and integrity. If leaders truly believe in their policies, they should welcome the opportunity to defend them under scrutiny.
In the upcoming elections, voters should pay close attention to which politicians engage with tough interviews—and which ones avoid them. After all, if they can’t handle a journalist’s questions, how can we trust them to lead a country?