2023-08-13 06:07:35
The sudden closure of Métro Média is another blow to local news, according to Sylvain Poisson, general manager of Hebdos Québec.
We do not want to end up with journalistic deserts. It is also unhealthy for the whole class of elected officials and for the citizens, he worries, referring to the need for citizens to be well informed.
Métro Média announced on Friday the suspension of the activities of all Métro newspapers as well as those of sixteen other local publications in Montreal and the Capitale-Nationale. Same scenario for all their digital platforms.
This is a loss for the readers, but also for the artisans of local information, explains Mr. Poisson, who for four years has been managing Hebdos Québec, a non-profit organization bringing together 112 member media whose objective is to promote the local and regional press.
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Reporting by Sarah Déry
Annick Charette, president of the National Federation of Communications and Culture, believes that the press is increasingly in danger with reckless actions like those of Meta.
To say that the newspapers should thank them [les géants du web, NDLR] to allow them to share their content is incredibly grotesque, deplores Ms. Charette.
While Meta’s decision to block Canadian news on its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, is primarily a response to Ottawa’s Online News Act, it hurts the news media first.
Lack of funding and Meta’s decision to block access to Canadian news on its platforms are among the reasons given for the abrupt closure of the media by Metro Media President and CEO Andrew Mulé.
While experts see the closure of Metro Media as another sign of the end of the local print media in Quebec, Mr. Poisson remains optimistic.
You know, the media crisis, we’ve been talking regarding it for years. […] I don’t think we’ve been through it, but I dare to hope that there will be better years in the future.
End of Publisac
The end of the Publisac, a measure put in place by Mayor Valérie Plante, was also singled out by Mr. Mulé. The distribution of the Publisac was an integral part of the business model of Métro Média, distributed free of charge since 2001, we recall.
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The Publisac is less and less popular with the municipal authorities of Greater Montreal.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Daniel Thomas
In a written statement, the Mayor indicates that the local media are essential to our democracy and that the national discussion which is essential is not regarding the distribution model, but regarding the mode of financing.
With information from Sarah Déry
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