Globe slags CBC 2 (and 3, for good measure)

Globe columnist Russell Smith had some venom in his Wheaties this morning, as he takes several head shots at CBC 2’s new programming, based on low ratings from BBM. Personally, I’d give CBC 2 at least a year to find an audience, which in may very well do, despite Mr. Smith’s self-admitted Schadenfreude. I’m not [...]

CRTC ponders the net and new media

Michael Geist summarizes the various proposals put forward for the CRTC’s role, if any, in regulating the net. Up to now, CRTC has been deliberately hands-off. As it considers whether to take a role, it has received submissions coming down to two main issues: stay hands-off (supported by media companies), and take a more activist [...]

Sun chain whacks 600 positions

This was inevitable, as both the Sun newspapers and owner Quebecor have faced declining revenues in the past several years. No details on where jobs will be lost; in addition to the Suns in Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton, they own a number of monopoly dailies in Ontario (e.g. The North Bay Nugget) and [...]

Canadian execs say yes to social media as marketing tool

A Pollara poll shows that, notwithstanding the economic downturn, 82 per cent of Canadian executives want to spend as much as ever on social media or more. Facebook is the big prize among Canadians.
Facebook has established itself as Canada’s dominant social network. Among Canadians who use social media, 87 per cent say they have tried [...]

Alberta gov’t sets up site to correct media errors

Immediately dubbed by suspicious media as The Ministry of Truth, Alberta’s new On the Record site claims only to correct errors of fact that appear in media, especially foreign media. It’s actually quite a good idea if in fact it lives up to this claim. Scroll down the Webroll and you’ll find Regret the Error, [...]

Time Canada to cease publication

Another magazine goes under, though Time Canada hasn’t carried Canadian editorial for some time. Not sure if anyone wants to buy a US newsmagazine that will be heavily focused on US politics. Anyway, another voice gone.
Financial Post, Dec. 11 2008

Ketchum’s best/worse in Canadian PR in 2008

A little levity and gravity this holiday season. Ketchum PR Canada takes a look at the best and worse in PR moments in Canada over the past 12 months. This year’s theme: how to say sorry as if you really meant it.
Marketwire, Dec. 9 2008

Chicago Trib files for bankrupty; NY Times reaches out

The state of US newspapers is much more parlous than that of their international brethren. Today, the Chicago Tribune files for bankruptcy, hoping to escape huge debt. Meanwhile, the New York Times reaches out, linking its sites to other media sites, including competitors, in order to compete with media aggregators. Stay tuned.
NY Times, The Financial [...]

“Public interest responsible journalism” explained

Osgoode Hall Law School has a good blog aimed at explaining new rulings and interpretations in a manner that non-legal observers like us can understand. Today, a post on the above concept, which allows a legitimate defense against libel chill, and a definite tilt toward free speech in Canada. Wish they could come up with [...]

Feds worry about listeriosis media

CP, using Freedom of Information law, has discovered a high degree of concern among federal officials about the media coverage of the Maple Leaf listeriosis outbreak. While Maple Leaf gets high marks for its openness and candor on the issue, CP is critical of the feds for being more concerned about image than containment of [...]