The federal government is coming under fresh pressure to find solutions for Canada’s ailing newspaper industry amid word today that dozens of community and daily newspapers across the country will soon close their doors.
Torstar Corp. and Postmedia Network Inc. say they will cut nearly 300 jobs when they shutter more than 30 newspapers, most of them in Ontario.
Canadian union leader Jerry Dias says the closures are devastating and he’s urging federal Heritage Minister Melanie Joly to take action to protect print journalism.
Joly unveiled a cultural strategy in September that was criticized by industry experts for lacking expected measures that could have given a boost to Canada’s struggling newspapers.
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Postmedia and Torstar swap dozens of community papers, but will shut down most of them
She said at the time that Ottawa had no interest in bailing out industry models that are no longer viable, and would instead focus on supporting innovation, experimentation and the transition to digital platforms.
Heritage Minister Melanie Joly unveiled a cultural strategy in September that was criticized by industry experts for lacking expected measures that could have given a boost to Canada’s struggling newspapers.
Ottawa-area Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld calls the closures — several of which will impact papers in the national capital — an unfortunate development that will impact democracy and make it more difficult for politicians and community groups to connect with locals.
Vandenbeld says that if there are solutions available to help the industry, the government should pursue them. But she believes the industry’s challenges are a much larger issue that are part of a global trend.
This story was published on CBC News. For the rest of the story please read the story right here http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/joly-postmedia-torstar-papers-1.4421423?cmp=rss.
