In the early hours of the morning, before the day has fully started, you can find many people leaned out their front doors, reaching for their mailboxes and the comfort of a newspaper. However, the newspaper industry is facing a decline that may soon make this morning ritual a thing of the past.
People still crave news, but the physical form of the newspaper is no longer the only source for information. Online editions and social media have become popular alternatives for those who want to stay informed. Yet, these digital sources are lacking in terms of accuracy and diversity of perspectives, which were once hallmarks of print newspapers.
One of the biggest problems facing the newspaper industry is the ownership structure.
Another problem is the lack of regulation for monopolies. The Competition Bureau has allowed for monopolistic purchases of newspapers, which goes against the public interest. Furthermore, online revenues are flowing south, leaving Canadian newsrooms behind. The Canadian government is trying to bring back online revenue to Canadian newsrooms, but the efforts are not enough.
The Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) funded by Heritage Canada has produced some great journalism, but it does not solve the underlying issue of media concentration. In fact, the LJI funds have been broadened to local nonprofit community television, but these stations are still dominated by large corporations. These corporations have shut down more than 200 community access stations, leaving 90% of Canadians without access to local community TV.
In conclusion, the decline of the printed newspaper is a sad tale of ownership and regulations. Despite the efforts of the Canadian government, the newspaper industry is facing a bleak future. The public still craves news, but the lack of diversity and accuracy in digital sources, as well as the negative impact of media concentration, means that this need may not be met in the future.