The Media of Mass Communication CHAPTER 4 PRINT MEDIA: NEWSPAPERS /11/2015

PRINT MEDIA: NEWSPAPERS IN CONTEXT  Some believe that newspapers are a dying industry  Others, like Postmedia Network, have taken over newspaper chains to expand them  Newspapers remain the main source of news for many Canadians  Many newspapers now combine local news content with internet distribution /11/2015

IMPORTANCE OF NEWSPAPERS Newspaper Industry Dimensions  98 dailies publish 4.3 millions copies per day  646 weeklies publish 12.8 million copies each week  Newspapers are still the main choice of advertisers Content Diversity and Depth  Newspapers often cover news in more depth  Newspapers have rich and varied content  Newspapers are challenged to attract a greater number of younger readers /11/2015

NEWSPAPER PRODUCTS Newspapers  Newspapers standardized size, the “standard advertising unit” Tabloids  Account for ¼ of all newspaper circulation Web-based Newspapers  Starting in 1992, newspapers produce online versions /11/2015

NEWSPAPER CHAIN OWNERSHIP Trend Towards Chains  The model for newspaper chains started in 1880 by W.R. Hearst  Concerns over concentrated ownership have resulted in 2 royal commissions: Davey and Kent  Concern is that media convergence may result in limited scope, perspective, and variety of news coverage /11/2015

DAILY & WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS  National dailies include The Globe and Mail, and The National Post  Metropolitan dailies include The Toronto Star, The Montreal Gazette, Le Devoir, and the Vancouver Province  Hometown dailies like The Packet and Times provide more local news  Entertainment weeklies such as NOW magazine, The Mirror, and The Georgia Strait provide alternative content and cover independent art, film, literature, music and events  Rural Weeklies are in decline along with the small retailers and advertisers they serve /11/2015

MEDIA OWNERSHIP & CONVERGENCE 3 models of Media Ownership  private ownership (Postmedia Network, Quebecor)  public ownership (CBC, PBS, community media)  co-operative (campus radio) Vertical integration of media ownership  reduces costs for media owners  reduces consumer options and media diversity CBS “Sunday Morning” CBS “Sunday Morning” February 1, /11/2015

NEWSPAPER PUBLISHING IN CANADA  Four companies—PostMedia Network, Hollinger, Quebecor, and Bell GlobeMedia--own a majority of the Canadian newspaper industry  A 2006 study concluded that media convergence makes Canadians distrust the media  News media owners such as Conrad Black, Izzy Asper and Paul Godfrey directly intervene in editorial content, silencing or firing dissenting editors  Does this contravene or take advantage of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guaranteeing freedom of the press? 11/28/2015 PROFESSOR JEPPESEN 8

MEDIA CONVERGENCE IN CANADA (CIRCA 2009) 28/11/ Source:

MEDIA CONVERGENCE IN CANADA CBC “The National” coverage of media convergenceCBC “The National” coverage of media convergence August 2, 2001  Is convergence good or bad?  Does responsibility for news diversity lie with the producer or the consumer of news? 28/11/

THE SIMPSONS - FRAUDCAST NEWS 28/11/

ALTERNATIVE MEDIA Grass-roots initiatives increasingly produce alternative media to challenge effects of mainstream media convergence Alternative in content and in process of production and distribution DIY (Do It Yourself) media – non-professional, non-commercial  mediacoop.ca mediacoop.ca  The Dominion Independent media – professionalized but still non-commercial  rabble.ca rabble.ca  democracynow.org democracynow.org 28/11/

QUESTIONS FOR CRITICAL THINKING 1.What is the impact of media convergence on newspapers? On readers? 2.Should priority be given to web delivery of news? 3.What is the role of alternative media in Canada? /11/2015

NEXT CLASS Print Media – Magazines Bring an old magazine or two to class, as well as scissors and glue 28/11/