Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez. (The Canadian Press)

By LNN Staff

Federal government tables bill to support news media

Apr 6, 2022 | 10:12 AM

OTTAWA, ON – The federal government has introduced a bill aimed at ensuring fair compensation for news media and the sustainability of local news.

Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez introduced Bill C-18, the Online News Act, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

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It 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.”

Since 2008, over 450 news outlets have closed.

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More than 60 of those closure have happened in the last two years alone. The federal government cites the rise in digital platforms and social media as one of the reasons for this. Because of that, advertising revenues have moved away from local news and journalists.

In 2020, online advertising revenues in Canada reached $9.7 billion, with two companies taking in more than 80 per cent of those revenues.

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.”

The deals would have to offer “fair compensation, respect journalistic independence and invest in a diversity of Canadian news outlets, including independent local businesses, among other criteria.”

The bill allows media outlets of all sizes to bargain collectively. The Online News Act builds on similar legislation in Australia.

Minister Rodriguez said, “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.”

“Right now, the health and future of the news industry—especially local news—are at risk. We want to make sure that 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.”

Bill C-18 was informed by consultations held in spring 2021. More information about the Online News Act is available at the Government of Canada’s website.