PCs may overhaul ONN ‘propaganda machine’
Premier Doug Ford’s office is considering a dramatic overhaul of its controversial Ontario News Now promotional video service, the Toronto Star has learned.
Criticized by those on the right and left of the political spectrum as taxpayer-funded “propaganda,” ONN produces videos boosting the Progressive Conservative government that are designed to look like legitimate TV news packages.
But Conservative sources confide that few people are tuning in.
“They’re too long. No one is watching (one minute and 30 second) packs on social (media),” said a senior Tory official, speaking confidentially.
“We’re reviewing all our communications strategies,” another insider confirmed Wednesday.
Ford’s government may not pull the plug altogether, but sources say the videos will be radically altered so they can no longer be accused of broadcasting “fake news.”
ONN has about 10,500 followers on its Twitter feed.
Several cabinet ministers have privately admitted to resenting being forced to do interviews for the spots, which they deemed a waste of their time, their credibility, and the government’s resources.
Ford’s office declined to comment on ONN’s future delivering news like stories, instead likening its output to “a video press release or a digital householder.”
“All recognized parties at the legislature have a caucus budget which is used to communicate with constituents. Ontario News Now is a communications arm of PC caucus services,” the premier’s office said.
Last month, NDP MPP Marit Stiles (Davenport) blasted Ford for an ONN spot in which he urged Ontarians to buy wines from Pelee Island Winery.
Earlier this year, a Toronto Star editorial questioned Ford for establishing “his own propaganda machine, Ontario News Now, a taxpayer-funded vanity project to gush breathlessly about (government) initiatives for the socalled ordinary folks.”
The Globe and Mail reported top ONN staffers are making six-figure salaries for their work.
In the Toronto Sun, a columnist advised ONN “could be fixed by having the party pay for it.”