Robert Hackett

Robert Hackett is Professor Emeritus of Communication at Simon Fraser University. He has published eight (mostly collaborative) academic books on media and politics, most recently Journalism and Climate Crisis (2017). A co-founder of NewsWatch Canada (1993), Media Democracy Days (2001), and Openmedia.ca (2007), Bob has been one of the thousands of people campaigning to defend the community, the coast and the planet from the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure, notably the Trans Mountain pipeline. He received SFU's Warren Gill award for community impact in 2018.

Blog

May 19, 2020

Pipeline projects, the pandemic and the question journalists fail to ask

Robert Hackett

While thousands of B.C. businesses have closed and millions of British Columbians are urged to stay at home, fossil fuel-related expansion projects continue as if they are "essential services."

Blog

Apr 9, 2020

Why has B.C. Premier John Horgan bought the LNG pipe dream?

Robert Hackett

Today's B.C. NDP is a locked-down creature. There's not been much chance for internal debate on LNG policy, even within the caucus.

Blog

Feb 22, 2020

Wet'suwet'en solidarity blockades: corporate media's punditocracy is yesterday's news

Robert Hackett

The solidarity blockades may indicate a political tipping point in the struggle against extractivism and climate change. But corporate media and their paid pundits don't get it.

Book Review

Jan 9, 2020

Can poetry help us understand climate change?

Robert Hackett

That's the task that Catriona Sandilands and the 45 other contributors to "Rising Tides: Reflections for Climate Changing Times" have set for themselves. And it's no small challenge.

Blog

Nov 28, 2019

Jagmeet Singh can help stop the Trans Mountain pipeline

Robert Hackett

With one single pro-climate act, Singh could show a firm commitment to a fundamental plank in the NDP's platform -- to end subsidies to fossil fuels.

Blog

Nov 11, 2019

On Remembrance Day, honour the fallen by working for peace

Robert Hackett

When we commemorate the sacrifices of Canadians who have gone to battle over the years, let's honour not only the soldiers, but those who take risks to prevent war or to repair its damage.

Blog

Sep 27, 2019

New Zealand climate strike signals desire for a new kind of politics

Robert Hackett

Across New Zealand, a reported 170,000 people took part in the climate strike. That's about 3.4 per cent of the population -- one of the largest protests in the country's history.

Blog

Aug 18, 2019

Resistance to Trans Mountain pipeline is growing on all fronts

Robert Hackett

The bitumen-bearing pipeline depends on taxpayer subsidies. Now, emerging campaigns aim to stop those subsidies -- and to re-align energy and climate policy with Canada's best values.

Blog

Jul 24, 2019

Hope is just one way to inspire climate action

Robert Hackett

There are many antidotes to paralysis in the face of climate crisis. Principles, payback and other motivations can spark action as much as hope.

Blog

Jul 6, 2019

Shouting 'hypocrisy' won't help us address the climate crisis

Robert Hackett

People who use fossil fuels while advocating for green policies aren't hypocrites.

Robert Hackett

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