{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6a6916e40ee147a124b14df4/6abbf273f560f37dfc377f02?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Are news deserts the new normal?","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6a6916e40ee147a124b14df4/1790866277812-838faf2c-b24e-43e4-942d-6a805a1d9357.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>What happens when local news goes dark?</p><p><br></p><p>Canadian journalism isn’t merely news, it’s democratic infrastructure. Amid a world of big tech monopolies and misinformation, Canadian journalism is constantly fighting to ensure people are informed by trusted and verified sources. But this democratic infrastructure is actively breaking down. From advertising revenue loss to mass newsroom layoffs and closures, the Canadian media sphere is facing crises that are leaving behind countless news deserts.</p><p>In this episode of CanConversations, host Raj Shoan sits down with Randy Kitt, Director of Media at Unifor, to discuss the value of local news and the threats that stare it down every day. They discuss exactly how these threats impact local news, how legislation has both protected and eroded Canadian journalism, and the possibility of a sustainable news ecosystem for the future.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>3 REASONS TO LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE</strong></p><ol><li>Learn about the disappearance of local journalism in Canada and the structural problems that have eroded the industry. </li><li>Understand precisely how important local journalism is and how its absence will negatively impact Canadians.</li><li>Find out how journalism can become a sustainable ecosystem in the future and how it can be supported.</li></ol><p><br></p><p><strong>RESOURCES</strong></p><p><u><a href=\"https://www.friends.ca/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Friends of Canadian Media</a></u></p><p><u><a href=\"https://www.uniformedia.ca/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Unifor</a></u></p><p><u><a href=\"https://www.factcheckhere.ca/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Unifor’s Fact Check Here</a></u></p><p><u><a href=\"https://rtdnacanada.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">RTDNA and ethical journalism</a></u></p><p><u><a href=\"https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/online-news.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Online News Act</a></u></p><p><u><a href=\"https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/modernization-broadcasting-act.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Online Streaming Act</a></u></p><p><u><a href=\"https://ppforum.ca/publications/shattered-mirror-news-democracy-trust-digital-age/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Public Policy Forum’s “The Shattered Mirror”</a></u></p><p><u><a href=\"https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/home-accueil.htm\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">CRTC and media regulations</a></u></p><p><br></p><p><strong>GUEST BIO</strong></p><p>Randy Kitt is the Director of Media at Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector trade union and largest media union, where he works to direct media policy and protect the rights of journalists and media workers. He is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Radio and Television Arts program and has worked for organizations such as CTV, TSN, Discovery Channel, and Bell Media. Kitt has over two decades of experience in video production, news editing, show openings, features, documentaries, commercials and promotions.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>CLARIFICATIONS</strong></p><ul><li><strong>[25:41] </strong>Raj and Randy used some imprecise language around the advertising tax deductibility changes. It was really about removing the deduction for foreign advertising rather than introducing a new deduction for Canadian ones. Nevertheless, the resulting benefit of the policy is the same; support for Canadian media entities in the face of American competition.</li><li><strong>[26:15] </strong>Raj mentions the Income Tax Act was “expanded” to Google and Meta. It was not an intentional expansion. Actually, this section of the Income Tax Act was never updated to reflect the new internet era with online platforms. So because it doesn&#39;t specifically preclude it, advertising on a foreign online platform/website by default makes it tax deductible. More info: <u><a href=\"https://friends.ca/wp-content/uploads/Loophole-EN-Final.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Close the Loophole! The Deductibility of Foreign Internet Advertising</a></u></li><li><strong>[26:42] </strong>Raj expresses that we should “<em>stop making Google and Meta eligible for a tax deduction that they weren&#39;t ever intended to receive.</em>” To clarify, Google and Meta are not receiving tax deductions, rather it is Canadian businesses that are receiving the tax deductions for advertising on Google and Meta.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Thanks for listening to CanConversations, a podcast from Friends of Canadian Media in collaboration with The Walrus Lab.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Everything we do at Friends of Canada Media is supported by people who believe in strong journalism, public broadcasting, and stories that reflect who we are as Canadians. And we do it without government funding, political ties, or corporate support.<strong> If that matters to you too, you can support us at friends.ca.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share with a friend! Thank you for listening.</p>","author_name":"The Walrus Lab"}