The People’s Party of Canada says it would abolish government-funded media in Canada..The Liberals currently fund a $50 million Local Journalism Initiative, a $595 million salary subsidy (commonly referred to as the newspaper bailout), and the $60 million pandemic-specific Emergency Support Fund..“I have always been absolutely clear that the PPC opposes every type of intervention in the media sector by the federal government,” People’s Party of Canada Leader, Maxime Bernier told the Western Standard. .“Whether it is the $600M subsidy or attempts to censor, exclude, or discriminate against some media outlets.”.Also, the Liberals added a $10 million “Special Measures for Journalism” top-up for 2021-22..The Special Measures for Journalism component of the Canada Periodical Fund provides recovery funding to Canadian magazines and community newspapers to support organizations that are still struggling due to the pandemic..“Freedom of the press essentially means freedom from government pressure, coercion or influence,” Bernier said..“The freedom of the press can only diminish when the government tries to influence media coverage with bribes to media organizations, or when it favours some well-established organizations at the expense of smaller independent ones that have different perspectives.” .Bill C-18.On April 5, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pablo Rodriguez, introduced Bill C-18, the Online News Act, which would establish a new legislative and regulatory framework to ensure fairness in the Canadian digital news marketplace and for independent local news businesses, including rural and remote news organizations, by ensuring that news media and journalists receive fair compensation for their work..The Western Standard proudly refuses to accept any government funding whatsoever. Our readers know this and understand it’s important in building a trustable brand with a large readership across Western Canada. .Bill C-18 was informed by consultations held in spring 2021. Canadian Heritage met with a variety of Canadian news industry professionals, including the news media and academics..“A free and independent press is fundamental to our democracy. It’s how we stay informed and engaged on what’s happening in our communities and across the country,” Rodriguez said..“Right now, the health and future of the news industry — especially local news — are at risk. We want to make sure the news media and journalists are fairly compensated for their work. Now more than ever, Canadians need reliable and credible information, especially in a time of greater mistrust and disinformation.”.Collectively, television, radio, newspapers and magazines have lost $4.9 billion over the past 12 years. At least one-third of Canadian journalism jobs have disappeared since 2010..More than 450 news outlets have closed since 2008; more than 60 of those closures have occurred in the last two years alone..“Digital platforms and social media are now the gateways where people find, read and share news,” the Government of Canada stated..“Because of this, advertising revenues have shifted away from local news and journalists to these gatekeepers, who profit from the sharing and distribution of Canadian news content.”.“In 2020, online advertising revenues in Canada reached $9.7 billion, with two companies taking in more than 80% of those revenues. It’s time to address this market imbalance.”.The government said Bill C-18 would require tech giants to make fair commercial deals with outlets for the news and information that is shared on their platforms..These deals in turn would need to provide fair compensation, respect journalistic independence and invest in a diversity of Canadian news outlets, including independent local businesses, among other criteria. The bill will allow media outlets, big and small, to bargain collectively..The government says, “This is fundamentally fairer for Canadian news media, which will be able to negotiate on more equal terms with the tech giants. If deals are made between digital platforms and news media within certain timelines that meet specific criteria, digital platforms can seek an exemption from a requirement to enter into a negotiation process that could lead to final offer arbitration.”.The Online News Act builds on similar legislation in Australia, by adding greater public accountability and transparency to the process, the government added..The feds say Bill C-18 supports a free, independent press and contributes to the sustainability of the digital news marketplace and the production of local, regional and national news content. In an era of rising disinformation and increasing public mistrust, this new legislation will ensure Canadians have access to quality, fact-based news at the local and national levels. .PPC will scrap Bill C-18.The PPC says Bill-C18 is another example of silly government overreach on the part of the Liberals..“The whole purpose of the bill is just bizarre and wrong-headed, in that its aim is to force social media companies to compensate traditional media organizations for linking to them and bringing more visitors to their stories, as if this was hurting rather than helping the media’s business,” Bernier said..“The underlying goal of the bill is very likely to indirectly subsidize mainstream media and again bribe them to get favourable coverage, just like the government did directly with its $600 million media fund. The People’s Party opposes this bill and would scrap it.”.One thing is sure, subsidies provided by the federal government for selected news organizations keep growing..To view which news companies are supported by Special Measures for Journalism $10M top-up for 2021-22 click here. To read more about the Local Journalism Initiative click here..Arthur Green is a Western Standard contributor.agreen@westernstandard.news.,.Follow on Twitter @artcgreen
