Western Standard publisher Derek Fildebrandt, True North Alberta correspondent Rachel Emmanuel, and Hub editor-at-large Sean Speer said independent media is prospering because it goes against the mainstream at the Canada Strong and Free Network Regional Conference. .“Independent media is increasingly also credible,” said Fildebrandt at the Saturday panel discussion. .“It’s not just a right-wing version of the Tyee or Press Progress.” .Fildebrandt said independent media is not a propaganda echo chamber. He said more conservative politicians are speaking to independent journalists to communicate with voters. .Speer said mainstream media has become more left. Speer said one reason why is because of business model, “producing content for a narrower audience.” .Another reason is the self-selection bias, as journalism has shifted from a working class career to an elite one. He said journalists have transitioned from reporting the news to becoming it. .While the Western Standard is missing people by not having print copies, Fildebrandt said it is succeeding because of digital opportunities. He said few people read newspapers, saying they are a waste of resources. .Emmanuel said online access allows people to be nimble and quick. She said new media is able to put out better stories. .Emmanuel went on to say journalism schools are one problem why mainstream media is dying, describing it as “exactly just the indoctrination you’d expect.” .“When I went to J-school, I was determined to get a job in mainstream media to be a conservative voice in the mainstream media,” she said. .“That didn’t really pan out.” .Fildebrandt said there are great conservatives coming out of journalism schools and mainstream media, and he has hired some of them. He continued by saying he “wants the Western Standard to become the new mainstream.”.Speer said the Hub is able to take a different approach because it has philanthropic support and donors. .“We’ve tried to resist focusing on day-to-day Parliament like so many other organizations,” he said. .“Instead, we’ve run an essay series on what is the most important issue for Canada in 2050 and how we should be thinking about that.” .Fildebrandt concluded by saying the Western Standard appeals to people because it treats itself as an old newspaper, with separate news and opinion divisions. .“We do not do conservative news, but news for conservatives,” he said. .A total of 42% of Albertans said they trust independent media more than mainstream sources, according to a poll done by Mainstreet Research on September 13. .READ MORE: POLL: Albertans trust independent media over mainstream sources.There were 33% of Albertans who preferred mainstream media, and 26% were unsure. .About 61% of Alberta United Conservative Party voters support independent sources.
