NATIONAL HEADLINES 6 DECEMBER 2018 |
| |
Did media giants conspire? “A year after two of Canada’s media giants agreed to swap 41 newspapers, then quickly closed most of them, a federal probe into whether the deal broke the law took a step further by obtaining a court order to interview under oath one former and five current Torstar employees. “The legal mess hanging over Torstar and Postmedia – and the loss of almost 300 media jobs — didn’t prevent top executives at both corporations from receiving millions in performance bonuses this year. Postmedia CEO Paul Godfrey raked in in $5 million, including his $1.2-million bonus. Torstar CEO John Boynton’s total compensation was $2.3 million, including a $740,000 bonus, but he only took on the job March 31. “The 2017 swap, meanwhile, resulted in 36 newspapers, from Vancouver to Ottawa, shuttered. Each publication that ceased operations effectively ceded their markets to rivals that remained in business. And by no means were the saved papers the ones producing the better journalism. “The Competition Bureau’s investigation hinges on whether Torstar and Postmedia knew, or even agreed ahead of time, which newspapers each would close after the swap. Postmedia’s Godfrey has declared that he and his team had no idea that Torstar would close the papers it acquired. Postmedia president Andrew MacLeod affirmed ‘the companies were extraordinarily careful not to share any knowledge about their plans for the properties after the transaction,’ reported the Financial Post.” First story here, second story here. — Bryan Carney |
|
|
As Feds Probe whether Media Giants Conspired, More Smoke Torstar CEO, on morning 41 papers swapped, promised severance packages to employees ‘affected’ by sales to Postmedia. By Bryan Carney. Thursday, December 6, 2018. Lawsuit Accuses Trudeau of Selling Out Millennials on Climate Change Young plaintiff claims feds have ‘decided to protect the oil industry.’ By Geoff Dembicki. Monday, December 3, 2018. Oil’s Wild Price Swings Set to Create Global Chaos Volatility is here to stay — and the political and economic implications will touch us all. By Andrew Nikiforuk. Wednesday, December 5, 2018. Trudeau Called ‘Sexist’ by Union of BC Indian Chiefs Apology demanded in this ‘open letter’ about PM’s comments to Kukpi7 Judy Wilson. By Chief Robert Chamberlin, By Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and By Kukpi7 Judy Wilson. Thursday, December 6, 2018. Don’t Just Remember the Massacred Women. Work for Change Improving the legal system’s response to family violence an important step, Rise project finds. By Haley Hrymak. Thursday, December 6, 2018. How I Became a Sea Lion Disentanglement Expert I hated finding the creatures encased in fishing gear or garbage. It’s now my mission to rescue them. By Wendy Szaniszlo. Tuesday, December 4, 2018. Good Intentions on Indigenous Child Welfare — and Many Questions The federal government has promised action, but reform will be challenging. By Judith Sayers. Monday, December 3, 2018. Will Ottawa’s News Fund Be Wasted Keeping Postmedia Afloat? New money for media could make a big difference — but not if it’s just a corporate handout. By Paul Willcocks. Friday, November 30, 2018. Three Things to Know about HIV/AIDS Today The arc of scientific progress has been swift. Stigma remains. By Nathan Lachowsky, By Gbolahan Olarewaju and By Heather Armstrong. Friday, November 30, 2018. A Renegade Book Exchange, and Other Acts of ‘Urban Intervention’ Pop-up parkettes have potential, so long as they fit the neighbourhood. By Christopher Cheung. Friday, November 30, 2018. Enough! Here's What 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' Is Truly About Date-rape carol? Or relic from when ‘nice girls’ weren’t allowed to say yes to sex? By Shannon Rupp. Wednesday, December 24, 2014. |
|
| |