The Canadian Media and the ‘Discovery’ of the Holocaust, 1944-1945

Abstract

This article examines both the extent and nature of the coverage of the Holocaust in five major English Canadian newspapers and two magazines, from May 1944 to June 1945. Although the media did pay attention to the Holocaust at certain times, on the whole the genocide was inadequately covered by the Canadian press. The media’s neglect cannot be explained sufficiently by a climate of skepticism towards reports of atrocities. Rather, the media tended to focus on the most sensational and incredible aspects of reports of Nazi brutality. The lack of coverage is at least partially explained by antisemitism. This prejudice can been seen in a paradox in the press reports: although the media did write about the Holocaust, they seemed intent on downplaying the suffering of European Jews.