Fox News in Canada? What You Can Do…

On June 15th, media giant Quebecor announced the launch of a 24-hour news channel, quickly dubbed “Fox News North.” This channel, modeled after the Fox News network in the US, will permanently alter the media landscape in Canada, just as Fox has in the US: over one million Americans watch Fox news during primetime, more than double the viewership of CNN, and the increasing sensationalism and punditry on other networks demonstrates the shift brought on by Fox-style coverage.

OpenMedia.ca needs your support to ensure that quality journalism, balanced debate and independent media remain viable in this altered landscape: http://openmedia.ca/sustainer

Quebecor is applying to the CRTC for a coveted Category One License – meaning cable operators across Canada would be forced to carry this Fox-style channel. We need to work to ensure that independent perspectives remain not just available but prominent in this changing media environment.

OpenMedia.ca has enjoyed a major success recently in our “Fair Access to AJE” campaign, with the announcement that Shaw will give all of its customers a free preview of AJE until August 31st; now we’re fighting hard to get other cable companies to do the same. Our ongoing work on media policy is pushing government to release earmarked funds for independent media centres. This work is more urgent than ever, and we’re asking for your support.

To make a diverse, accessible media system that serves the public interest a reality, we must continue our work to support independent voices and push for local independent media hubs. You can play a key role in making this work possible by becoming a sustainer of OpenMedia.ca: http://openmedia.ca/sustainer

Or making a one-time donation here: http://openmedia.ca/supporter

Our goal is to find just 40 new sustainers of OpenMedia.ca over the next month. Our growing community has already seen huge successes, and your support is crucial now as our advocacy work takes on new urgency.

Yours Truly,

Steve, Jacqui, Marie, Reilly, Amanda and the OpenMedia.ca network