Name: Editorial: Bill C-18 is a well-intentioned, yet devastating attempt to save Canadian journalism
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Editorial: Bill C-18 is a well-intentioned, yet devastating attempt to save Canadian journalism

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Skip to main contentYou are the owner of this article.Edit ArticleAdd New ArticleYou have permission to edit this article.EditNewsCultureSportsOpinionsFeaturesSpecial EditionsHave you been able to see the Western Gazette Instagram recently? Don’t worry, we haven’t&nbsp; either.&nbsp;This is an action by Meta in response to Bill C-18, also known as the Online News Act. The government passed legislation on June 22 requiring digital giants Google and Meta to compensate news outlets for the news content shared on their platforms. As a result, Meta blocked all Canadian news on their platforms. Google is set to do the same.In theory, Bill C-18 appears to be a noble attempt to help Canadian news outlets stay afloat and financially viable. However, as the real-world effects of this legislation unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that the bill is causing more harm than good.&nbsp;While it may have been designed with the best intentions, its impact on both major and smaller news outlets, from the Globe and Mail to the Western Gazette, has been devastating.Now the only way for Canadians to get news is by going on the sites themselves. But let’s be honest — as students, how often do you really take the time to go on news sites to check what’s happening in your communities every day? Bill C-18 completely disrupts how people access news and information in an age when we are on social media more than ever. By getting rid of news sources that care about journalistic integrity, people are still going to get their news from somewhere — and it’s not going to be a good place.Bill C-18 and its consequences have also been extremely concerning when it comes to misinformation. Social media’s ability to allow anyone to share any piece of information, whether it’s true or not, has presented dangers for years. With the absence of credible news on social media, people will be much more susceptible to biased and false information from uncredible accounts.&nbsp;Yes, it is no secret that journalism has not been a financially thriving industry for years. Struggling publications have pleaded with the government for financial support to prevent layoffs and closures. While news content brings traffic to Meta's social media platforms and its advertising, it’s difficult to argue that news companies don’t benefit more from sharing their content on social media.&nbsp;The news links often lead to companies' websites, which increases their visibility. Now with the “link tax”, it’s like trying to get money from the lamppost by putting a sign up on it.Bill C-18 could not have happened at a worse time. In anticipation of Bill C-18 in June, Bell Media laid off over 1,300 positions and slashed six per cent of its media arm. Nine local news radio shows were sold or closed, meaning that people won’t be able to get diverse and local news.&nbsp;This homogenization of news won’t stop as Bill C-18’s reign continues, it is going to harm smaller publications more than massive corporations. This is a dangerous road to go down, as people will not be able to access local news specific to their community.&nbsp;Think the Gazette. Without picking up a print copy of the Gazette, signing up for our newsletter, or checking our website, students like you won’t know about the BB-gun shooting on Broughdale, voices on the Brescia-Western merger or the latest events happening in London.But there might be a silver lining. Looking forward, we must consider what will happen when we no longer have access to the largest bulletin board in history — social media. As we've let Meta control more of our lives, it's time for companies to innovate and explore alternative avenues to deliver news.This was a high-risk and high-reward act to save Canadian journalism, but the clear risk falls on the industry they are trying to save. Bill C-18 has completely compromised the ability of millions of Canadians to see news on the apps they use everyday. The bill is not benefitting Canadian media companies, but handicapping them.&nbsp;Bill C-18, though well-intentioned, has serious flaws that are hurting Canadian journalism, the people who read it, and the people who aspire to be a part of this industry — like us. It's essential for the government to reevaluate its impact on smaller publications, the democracy it seeks to protect and the broader media landscape to ensure a brighter future for journalism in Canada.To stay connected with the Western Gazette, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter where you can be informed and entertained about anything and everything you need to know!Log InPost a comment as GuestPost a commentGazette Issuu Archive (2012 – )Gazette Scribd Archive (2009 – 2012)Powered by BLOX Content Management System from BLOX Digital.

Skip to main contentYou are the owner of this article.Edit ArticleAdd New ArticleYou have permission to edit this article.EditNewsCultureSportsOpinionsFeaturesSpecial EditionsHave you been able to see the Western Gazette Instagram recently? Don’t worry, we haven’t&nbsp; either.&nbsp;This is an action by Meta in response to Bill C-18, also known as the Online News Act. The government passed legislation on June 22 requiring digital giants Google and Meta to compensate news outlets for the news content shared on their platforms. As a result, Meta blocked all Canadian news on their platforms....

Editorial: Bill C-18 is a well-intentioned, yet devastating attempt to save Canadian journalism

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