The Liberals say Canadians need credible, independent and reliable information from media sources and that a bankrupt press is not a free press. .In a debate at the House of Commons on Tuesday, Liberal MP Chris Bittle (St. Catharines-Ontario) says there is no real democracy without a free and independent press in Canada..Bittle enforced the point that everyone in the House can agree that to play its fundamental role, the press needs to make money to operate and said this is the purpose of Bill C-18.."A bankrupt press is not a free press," Bittle said. "To play its fundamental role, the press needs revenue.".Bittle told the House this principle is at the core of Bill C-18, and it is at the core of the Liberals approach to supporting strong and independent journalism.."What we are seeing now, more than ever, is just how important that is," Bittle said.."The way Canadians get their news has changed a lot. Many of us get our news through Google or Facebook, which is okay. There is nothing wrong with that, but the problem is that digital media platforms do not compensate media when they use their content.".According to the Liberals advertising dollars have left Canadian media. The Liberals currently fund a $50 million Local Journalism Initiative, a $595 million newspaper bailout, and the $60 million pandemic-specific Emergency Support Fund. .Also, the Liberals added a $10 million “Special Measures for Journalism” top-up for 2021-22. .The Western Standard refuses to accept any government funding whatsoever..Conservative MP Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park- Fort Saskatchewan) was the first to stand with a question for the Liberals concerning Brittle's comments on Bill C-18 at Tuesday's debate.."I have just a simple question for the parliamentary secretary about the discussion around spreading misinformation and disinformation. Is 'spreading misinformation' simply a fancy way of saying 'telling a lie'? Does it mean the same thing as telling a lie, or does it mean something different?" Genuis said. Bittle quickly replied: "I am not sure what the honourable member is getting at."
The Liberals say Canadians need credible, independent and reliable information from media sources and that a bankrupt press is not a free press. .In a debate at the House of Commons on Tuesday, Liberal MP Chris Bittle (St. Catharines-Ontario) says there is no real democracy without a free and independent press in Canada..Bittle enforced the point that everyone in the House can agree that to play its fundamental role, the press needs to make money to operate and said this is the purpose of Bill C-18.."A bankrupt press is not a free press," Bittle said. "To play its fundamental role, the press needs revenue.".Bittle told the House this principle is at the core of Bill C-18, and it is at the core of the Liberals approach to supporting strong and independent journalism.."What we are seeing now, more than ever, is just how important that is," Bittle said.."The way Canadians get their news has changed a lot. Many of us get our news through Google or Facebook, which is okay. There is nothing wrong with that, but the problem is that digital media platforms do not compensate media when they use their content.".According to the Liberals advertising dollars have left Canadian media. The Liberals currently fund a $50 million Local Journalism Initiative, a $595 million newspaper bailout, and the $60 million pandemic-specific Emergency Support Fund. .Also, the Liberals added a $10 million “Special Measures for Journalism” top-up for 2021-22. .The Western Standard refuses to accept any government funding whatsoever..Conservative MP Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park- Fort Saskatchewan) was the first to stand with a question for the Liberals concerning Brittle's comments on Bill C-18 at Tuesday's debate.."I have just a simple question for the parliamentary secretary about the discussion around spreading misinformation and disinformation. Is 'spreading misinformation' simply a fancy way of saying 'telling a lie'? Does it mean the same thing as telling a lie, or does it mean something different?" Genuis said. Bittle quickly replied: "I am not sure what the honourable member is getting at."
