Introduction

introduction Stories told through film, television, and other forms of visual media shape how people think, feel, and perceive the world around them. Stories have the potential to shift and expand our understandings. Media reflects our society and catalyzes its transformation. Equitable visual representation on Canadian television is essential to ensuring an inclusive media landscape where people see themselves and their communities reflected authentically on screen.

The Diversity on Screen Audit Report of Canadian Broadcasters is a cross-sectional study that examines the top four major national broadcasters in Canada—CBC, Citytv, CTV, and Global Television Network—and one provincial broadcaster—Knowledge Network. The research is driven by two central questions:

“Who are Canadians watching on their television screens?”

and

“How does this reflection impact diversity, equity and inclusivity in Canada?”

Our researchers collected data from the five broadcasters between April 11, 2021 and April 17, 2021.

Given VAFF’s mandate, the focus of this equity audit was on screen representation of Asians on five broadcast networks and for this report Asians were identified as East Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian.