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The Manitoba government is creating an all-party committee to explore the future of local journalism.
Premier Wab Kinew says by studying the matter, the goal is to figure out how the province can support local media, adding he believes having a good media environment is essential for our democracy.
"Because it lets you know what's happening with your government. It lets you know things you agree with, things you want to hold the government accountable for," he explained, adding it also helps with the life blood of the community. "Being able to keep up to speed on what's happening with youth sports, community gatherings and local good news stories that are sources of pride for people who live in different parts of Manitoba."
In our own backyard
One such example, added the Premier, is Golden West, which has been delivering community service radio since 1957. The company, based in Altona, Manitoba, now boasts 38 radio stations and 20 online portals across western Canada, including PembinaValleyOnline.
"It's not just about newspapers. In many parts of the province its Golden West. It's a radio station, it's an online presence, that's helping to keep people informed about your local community, and I just want to make sure that our province is ensuring that local connection is strong and that the news that you can use will be there at your fingertips."
“Communications have seen a dramatic change over the past few decades. There used to be a handful of news sources and now there are hundreds,” said Elmer Hildebrand, CEO of Golden West. “In Manitoba, especially in rural areas, there are no local television stations, and most newspapers have disappeared. The only source of local news in these areas comes from local radio stations. Local journalism is very much in danger of totally disappearing, as has already happened in some parts of Canada, so I welcome this consultation.”
The committee, chaired by Robert Loiselle, MLA for St. Boniface, will focus on rural and northern media and cultural media such as French, Filipino, Punjabi and Chinese language publications. Consultations with local media organizations, other affected stakeholders and members of the public will take place across the province in the coming months.
"The government spends money on advertising. The government has different tools in the toolbox that could maybe support media and so let's figure out what that should look like," said Kinew.
"I don't want this to be viewed as one party or one side, if you will."
For the Premier, it was important that this committee be made up of members from all of the parties represented in the Manitoba Legislature.
"The federal government did this, and it got politicized," he said. "People were concerned that it was, and I'll speak bluntly here, that it was Justin Trudeau putting his finger on the scale. That was the accusation. I don't know if that was fair, but anyway, that's how it got politicized and I want to avoid that. I don't want this to be viewed as one party or one side, if you will."
More information about consultations will be made available here, with media outlets invited to participate. Members of the public who are interested in receiving updates can register through the EngageMB link.