New polling from the Angus Reid Institute (ARI) finds a majority of Canadians oppose the government funding of private newsrooms, believing it “compromises journalistic independence.”.The poll found new data has Canadians ruling out at least two proposed solutions..A majority (59%) oppose the government funding of private newsrooms..A similar proportion (57%) say the consolidation of media — such as the recently considered but ultimately rejected coming together of Torstar and Postmedia — should be discouraged “so there is more competition in news coverage in Canada.".In opposition are minorities who say “consolidation is necessary for the survival of newspapers” (20%) and “the government needs to fund newsrooms because of the importance of journalism (19%)," ARI reported.."Though the government funding of private newsrooms is unpopular among Canadians, half (47%) disagree the federal government should completely defund CBC."."One-third (36%) want to see CBC’s funding cut off, including approaching three-quarters (72%) of past CPC voters," said ARI.."Fewer than one-in-five (17%) supported the now-dead merger between Torstar and Postmedia. Nearly as many were opposed (43%) as uncertain (40%).".The poll also found three-quarters (74%) of Canadians over the age of 54 say they turn on the TV daily for their news..One-quarter (26%) of 18- to 34-year-olds say the same.."As many of the youngest Canadian adults (28%) say they get news from podcasts on a typical day," said ARI.."Notably, as it stands, fewer than one in six (15%) Canadians said they currently pay for an online news subscription."."With local papers and media organizations struggling to maintain advertising and fund journalistic endeavours, consolidation of newsrooms has emerged as a solution for many media companies.".The poll said large organizations including Rogers, Bell, Corus and Quebecor Inc. own a vast network of websites, radio stations and newspapers in Canada which tends to "improve prospects for advertisers," but increase challenges for high-quality local journalism.."If Canadians had to choose, more, non-integrated news would be their choice. Close to three in five (57%) say that consolidation should be discouraged, while one in five (20%) say that consolidation is needed in order to keep newspapers afloat," said ARI..According to the poll, Canadians are more likely to believe the latter, with three in five (59%) saying the “government should not fund newsrooms because it compromises journalistic independence.".One-in-five (19%) disagree, believing governments need to fund newsrooms “because of the importance of journalism.”."Past CPC voters are the most likely to oppose government funding of newsrooms at more than four-in-five (83%). However, pluralities of those who voted Liberal (48%) and NDP (38%) in 2021 agree," said ARI..The poll found Canadians are more likely to oppose than support the government defunding CBC.."The most prominent example of a government-funded newsroom in Canada is the CBC, which received $1.24 billion in government funding in 2022," ARI said.."It also generates revenue from advertising and subscriptions, to the amount of $651.4 million last year. However, the CBC’s own journalistic independence was questioned during a spat with Twitter over being labelled government-funded media earlier this year.".CBC noted that its “editorial independence is protected by law”.."Canadians are more likely to oppose (47%) than support (36%) completely defunding Canada’s national public broadcaster," said ARI.."There is a sharp political division on this matter. Approaching three-quarters (72%) of past CPC voters believe the government should defund the CBC. Most of those who voted Liberal (68%) and NDP (69%) in 2021 are opposed.".ARI conducted the online survey on July 4 among a representative randomized sample of 1,610 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum..For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding. The survey was self-commissioned and paid for by ARI..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
New polling from the Angus Reid Institute (ARI) finds a majority of Canadians oppose the government funding of private newsrooms, believing it “compromises journalistic independence.”.The poll found new data has Canadians ruling out at least two proposed solutions..A majority (59%) oppose the government funding of private newsrooms..A similar proportion (57%) say the consolidation of media — such as the recently considered but ultimately rejected coming together of Torstar and Postmedia — should be discouraged “so there is more competition in news coverage in Canada.".In opposition are minorities who say “consolidation is necessary for the survival of newspapers” (20%) and “the government needs to fund newsrooms because of the importance of journalism (19%)," ARI reported.."Though the government funding of private newsrooms is unpopular among Canadians, half (47%) disagree the federal government should completely defund CBC."."One-third (36%) want to see CBC’s funding cut off, including approaching three-quarters (72%) of past CPC voters," said ARI.."Fewer than one-in-five (17%) supported the now-dead merger between Torstar and Postmedia. Nearly as many were opposed (43%) as uncertain (40%).".The poll also found three-quarters (74%) of Canadians over the age of 54 say they turn on the TV daily for their news..One-quarter (26%) of 18- to 34-year-olds say the same.."As many of the youngest Canadian adults (28%) say they get news from podcasts on a typical day," said ARI.."Notably, as it stands, fewer than one in six (15%) Canadians said they currently pay for an online news subscription."."With local papers and media organizations struggling to maintain advertising and fund journalistic endeavours, consolidation of newsrooms has emerged as a solution for many media companies.".The poll said large organizations including Rogers, Bell, Corus and Quebecor Inc. own a vast network of websites, radio stations and newspapers in Canada which tends to "improve prospects for advertisers," but increase challenges for high-quality local journalism.."If Canadians had to choose, more, non-integrated news would be their choice. Close to three in five (57%) say that consolidation should be discouraged, while one in five (20%) say that consolidation is needed in order to keep newspapers afloat," said ARI..According to the poll, Canadians are more likely to believe the latter, with three in five (59%) saying the “government should not fund newsrooms because it compromises journalistic independence.".One-in-five (19%) disagree, believing governments need to fund newsrooms “because of the importance of journalism.”."Past CPC voters are the most likely to oppose government funding of newsrooms at more than four-in-five (83%). However, pluralities of those who voted Liberal (48%) and NDP (38%) in 2021 agree," said ARI..The poll found Canadians are more likely to oppose than support the government defunding CBC.."The most prominent example of a government-funded newsroom in Canada is the CBC, which received $1.24 billion in government funding in 2022," ARI said.."It also generates revenue from advertising and subscriptions, to the amount of $651.4 million last year. However, the CBC’s own journalistic independence was questioned during a spat with Twitter over being labelled government-funded media earlier this year.".CBC noted that its “editorial independence is protected by law”.."Canadians are more likely to oppose (47%) than support (36%) completely defunding Canada’s national public broadcaster," said ARI.."There is a sharp political division on this matter. Approaching three-quarters (72%) of past CPC voters believe the government should defund the CBC. Most of those who voted Liberal (68%) and NDP (69%) in 2021 are opposed.".ARI conducted the online survey on July 4 among a representative randomized sample of 1,610 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum..For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding. The survey was self-commissioned and paid for by ARI..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
