Quebec details major print media support
The Quebec government has set aside $19.2 million to support private print media in their transition to the digital age.
Minister of Culture Marie Montpetit, explained the workings of a $36.4 million program in Trois-rivières on Monday morning. The program was initially announced in March and is spread over five years.
"In less than a decade, our way of becoming informed has been completely transformed,” Montpetit said. “Our government supports the growth of news organizations. We want our media to take their place in new markets. An independent and vigorous press is essential for any society." The minster added that the traditional business model no longer holds water because of the loss of significant advertising revenues at the hands of web giants like Facebook and Google.
The digital transformation program is divided into two parts. The first is to support companies that need diagnosis, strategic planning, or positioning studies. The second will be a call for projects that will support companies desiring to acquire or develop tools and put in place new approaches to creating and distributing journalistic content.
The government program provides support for private media companies with up to 50 per cent of the investment cost per project, up to a maximum of $400,000. The first call for projects for private companies begins on December 4 and ends on January 15. A second call for projects should be launched in the spring of 2018.
The breakdown of the $19.2 million envelope between the two components has not been specified. According to the government, Quebec is home to some 200 privately published newspapers and the program is the first time that the Quebec government has helped privately owned print media companies.
The print media support program also provides enhanced support for community media. This additional assistance of $5.2 million will serve to stimulate the production and dissemination of local information. Some 156 community media are listed in Quebec.
The $36.4 million budget is complemented by transitional support of $12 million to help newspaper companies meet their paper recycling obligations.
According to Montpetit, the government has not ruled out enhancing its assistance to media in the coming months. and confirmed that additional discussions with the federal government will be held soon on the issue.