In the latest episode of The Exchange 2.0, host Blake Doyle sits down with CBC reporter Kate McKenna to discuss the evolving media landscape and its impact on Prince Edward Island.
McKenna reflects on her journey from covering local stories on the Island to reporting from Parliament Hill, noting that the rigorous standards of small-community journalism gave her a strong foundation for national reporting. She also touches on her book about the history of abortion access on PEI, a deeply personal project that chronicles decades of policy battles.
The conversation shifts to modern challenges facing journalism, including the so-called 'Meta ban' on news content and a rise in online hostility. McKenna observes that politicians are increasingly turning to long-form podcasts to showcase a more human side, but warns that the decline of traditional media access during campaigns undermines public accountability. With newsrooms stretched thin, she says, in-depth investigative reporting is becoming harder to sustain.
Doyle and McKenna also examine PEI's rapid population growth—30,000 newcomers in recent years—which has brought cultural diversity but also strained infrastructure. Doyle argues that a lack of long-term planning has left schools and hospitals struggling to keep pace.
Despite these challenges, McKenna remains optimistic about journalism's role: 'It's still essential for holding power to account and driving policy change.'
The full episode is available on YouTube.