Manitoba government releases local journalism report

We thank Rob Loiselle and the all-party committee for their outstanding work. We are very pleased with the recommendation to set aside a minimum of 25% of Manitoba’s advertising spend (encompassing core government, Crowns and agencies) to local journalism. We are also very encouraged by the recommendation to look at a journalism labor tax credit. We hope Premier Wab Kinew will follow through quickly with these forward-looking policies.”

Paul Deegan, president and chief executive officer, News Media Canada

The Manitoba government has released the report prepared by the All-Party Committee on Local Journalism, Robert Loiselle, committee chair, has announced.

“Local, rural and cultural media plays a critical role in Manitoba,” said Loiselle. “We had the chance to hear from local media outlets and the public about how we can strengthen this important source of information for Manitobans, and we’re listening. We’re going to move forward with the recommendations in the report and continue listening to and working with local media in Manitoba.”

The Manitoba government announced the All-Party Committee on Local Journalism on May 9 and conducted nine consultation sessions across Manitoba between June and October. There were 102 people registered across those nine sessions and 43 presentations were made to the committee.

The report summarizes those consultations and makes recommendations to support local, rural and cultural media in Manitoba including:

• Exploring options to support local journalism through tax credits, ensuring these supports benefit rural and cultural outlets.
• Ensuring a minimum of 25 per cent of government advertising, including Crown corporations and agencies, goes to local journalism.
• Exploring a regular reporting mechanism for government advertising.

“I am encouraged by the progress the bipartisan journalism committee has made on this subject, and I thank them for their work to listen to media presentations from across Manitoba,” said Elmer Hildebrand, CEO, Golden West Broadcasting. “Let’s put this in motion as soon as possible.”

The full report can be viewed here.