The Importance of Canadian News Media in the Age of Misinformation

1 October 2024

MATTE STORY – WORD COUNT: 360

The Canadian news media landscape has changed and evolved more over the last decade than ever before. We’re living in the age of information overload. Without tools to distinguish fact from fiction or help us find what’s relevant to our day-to-day lives, misinformation makes it easy to get lost and confused.

Independent local news media outlets are essential to providing Canadians with the factual and reliable information they need. Canadians need to know where and how to access credible news. Here are four ways to stay connected with your local news:

Go directly to the source – When in doubt, get it straight from the source! There’s no better way to access credible, relevant news than heading straight to your local newspaper’s website, reading the e-edition of the paper, or picking up a print copy.
Newsletters – If you’re looking for convenience, get the news straight to your inbox by subscribing to a newspaper newsletter. You’ll get local content straight from the source, and you can sign up for multiple newsletters from different newspapers to get a variety of relevant content.
Subscriptions – Check to see if your local paper has a subscription service, whether print or digital. It’s a surefire way to support your newspaper and the industry, all while keeping you informed through credible news.
Podcasts – Are you often on-the-go, or just not a big reader? Many outlets now offer news podcasts as a great and reliable way for Canadians to access relevant information. It’s easy to stay informed with dependable and factual information even if you lead a busy lifestyle.

Ultimately, there are many ways to consume local news media content. Interacting with your local newspaper and supporting its content is an act of civic engagement that helps to uphold our country’s democracy.

Trusted newspaper content is more important than ever in today’s world, where disinformation travels faster than the truth. Journalists, not AI, power Canadian newspapers – the most credible source of information that remains written by humans, for humans.

Learn more about National Newspaper Week at www.nationalnewspaperweek.ca or www.ChampionsoftheTruth.ca.

Why We Celebrate National Newspaper Week

National Newspaper Week is an annual opportunity to recognize the critical role that newspapers play in an active and healthy democracy and is celebrated in North America starting on the first Sunday in October. Local newspapers deliver vital information to Canadians, connecting local communities across the country and keeping citizens informed, engaged, and connected. Learn more at www.nationalnewspaperweek.ca.

About News Media Canada

News Media Canada is the voice of the print and digital news media industry in Canada and represents hundreds of trusted titles in every province and territory. News Media Canada is an advocate in public policy for daily and community media outlets and contributes to the ongoing evolution of the news media industry by raising awareness and promoting the benefits of news media across all platforms. For more information, visit www.newsmediacanada.ca or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

National Newspaper Week Resources:

Online toolkit
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