Local News Crisis Deepens in Canada, Suburban Communities Most Affected
A new report paints a grim picture of the state of local news in Canada, revealing a significant decline in the number of outlets across the country, leaving millions of Canadians, particularly those in suburban areas, with limited access to vital local information. This news desert is not only starving communities of crucial coverage but also creating fertile ground for the spread of misinformation. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) report highlights a stark reality: nearly 2.5 million Canadians reside in areas with either one or no local news outlets, a figure that has doubled since 2008. This alarming trend raises serious concerns about the health of Canadian democracy and the ability of citizens to make informed decisions.
The decline is widespread, impacting both traditional print media and online platforms. Since 2008, Canada has lost approximately 25 local news outlets per year, totaling a loss of 11% over the past decade and a half. The report notes that 2023 was a particularly devastating year for the sector, witnessing the closure of 83 outlets due to the bankruptcy of Metroland Media Group and the closure of Métro Média in Quebec. The shrinking media landscape leaves communities vulnerable to manipulation and the proliferation of unchecked information, particularly from unreliable sources on social media.
The report also highlights the alarming trend of media consolidation, where larger companies acquire local outlets, often leading to significant staff reductions and a decline in local programming. This concentration of ownership creates a fragile ecosystem where the struggles of a single company can have disproportionately large consequences for news coverage across multiple communities. The Metroland bankruptcy serves as a stark example of this vulnerability, where the collapse of a single entity resulted in widespread job losses and the closure of numerous publications.
One of the key drivers behind this decline is the disruptive influence of digital giants like Google and Meta. These platforms have captured a significant portion of advertising revenue, leaving traditional news outlets struggling to compete. The traditional advertising-based business model that once sustained local journalism is now failing in the face of this online competition. The report underscores the urgency of finding alternative, sustainable funding models for local news.
The report emphasizes the need for a multifaceted approach to address this crisis. It calls for a combination of innovative solutions and the strengthening of existing institutions. This includes supporting new online-only local news platforms that leverage micro-targeted advertising, as well as empowering the CBC to expand its local and regional presence beyond its current limited initiatives. The report urges a more proactive role for the CBC in providing local news coverage, particularly in underserved areas. It calls for a comprehensive strategy, rather than isolated deployments of individual reporters across vast geographical regions.
While acknowledging government efforts like the Online News Act, digital news tax credits, and the Local Journalism Initiative, the report stresses that these measures alone are insufficient to stem the tide of decline. The report concludes that relying solely on the benevolence of tech giants is a futile strategy. The future of local news depends on a comprehensive, proactive approach that embraces innovation and empowers existing public institutions. The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated: without immediate and substantial intervention, the erosion of local news will continue, leaving communities increasingly vulnerable to misinformation and undermining the very fabric of Canadian democracy.