The recommendations aim to ensure that the CJC creates a governance structure that is ‘robust and in keeping with modern governance practices’
A group of Canadian news organizations is making recommendations to ensure the small collective chosen by Google to distribute its $500-million journalism fund remains accountable.
In a news release on Thursday, Canadian news organizations shared 10 recommendations to the Canadian Journalism Collective’s (CJC) governance structure that would prevent members from engaging in self-dealing.
“Managing $500 million over five years is a responsibility that should be discharged honestly, in good faith, and in lockstep with the integrity of the Online News Act and its Regulations,” said Paul Deegan, CEO and president of News Media Canada, which includes Postmedia.
The organizations, who represent the news publishers in the Online News Media Collective (ONMC), made the recommendations to the CJC and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), which will evaluate the group’s proposal to determine whether Google will receive an exemption from the Online News Act.
Google pledged $100-million a year for five years in response to the act, which seeks compensation for media companies when their content is picked up by online platforms. The tech giant chose the CJC to administer the fund over a rival bid from the ONMC.
The news publishers’ recommendations aim to ensure that the CJC creates a governance structure that is “robust and in keeping with modern governance practices.”
Erin Millar, CEO of Indiegraf, chairs the CJC, and the six board members who are Indiegraf clients are Brandi Schier (The Discourse), Eden Fineday (IndigiNews), Gabrielle Brassard (Pivot), Matthew DiMera (The Resolve), Adam Reaburn (Energeticcity) and Dru Jay (The Breach).
To prevent self-dealing, the news publishers within the ONMC ask that CJC board members not be recipients of funds under the Online News Act and cannot receive fees from the Canadian Journalism Collective.
The news publishers in the Online News Media Collective, which represents 95 per cent of news outlets in Canada, are asking that the CJC’s board of directors represent the full diversity of the Canadian news media landscape, not just small publications.
In addition, the group of news organizations are asking that the CJC’s board should “include one lawyer and one chartered professional accountant, who should be independent from news businesses. This request is based on the Board Skills Matrix, a tool used by organizations to asses board member competency, which demands financial, audit and risk management and transparency, according to the news release.
Other recommendations for responsibly distributing the $500-million fund dedicated to supporting journalism in Canada include suggestions that “members of the board of directors cannot be related parties,” and “voting should be one member, one vote.”
“With two-thirds of the directors being related parties, this raises concerns about the due diligence behind the composition of the board,” said Deegan.
The publishers previously submitted a set of requests to the CRTC to ensure equitable distribution of the funds. The requests include adding more regulations for the definition of a “full-time equivalent” employee and capping the collective’s administrative fee at $500,000.
The CRTC’s consultations have yet to begin. However, the CJC has already started developing its infrastructure and says it is committed to involving media stakeholders in the CRTC’s process, according to its website.
“The CRTC needs to step in to impose strict conditions to ensure the board properly and professionally carries out their obligations under this Act,” said Deegan.
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here.
HALIFAX – The federal Fisheries Department says an endangered North Atlantic right whale has become entangled in gear in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The department says the whale was sighted Wednesday by a Transport Canada aerial surveillance team northeast of the Gaspé Peninsula, off Anticosti Island.
Officials say it’s not known what type of gear has entangled the whale or where the gear came from.
Based on observation, experts at the New England Aquarium have confirmed the whale is a female known as Chiminea.
The department says it is continuing to monitor the area and if the whale is located and conditions allow, efforts will be made to disentangle the animal.
Last October, the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium estimated there were 356 North Atlantic right whales left on the planet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER – Canadian pop icon Nelly Furtado has been named one of three headliners for the opening ceremony of the upcoming Invictus Games.
Furtado, from Victoria, will share the stage with alt-pop star Roxane Bruneau of Delson, Que., and American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan.
They’ll be part of the show that opens the multi-sport event in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., in February.
The Invictus Games sees wounded, injured, and sick military service members and Veterans compete in 11 disciplines.
The Vancouver Whistler 2025 Games will be the first of seven editions to feature winter adaptive sports, including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton and wheelchair curling.
British Columbia’s Lower Mainland will host the Invictus Games from Feb. 8-16.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Police say a woman is dead after her vehicle crashed with a school bus in Thunder Bay, Ont.
Investigators say no students on the bus were hurt.
Police say the crash took place just after 8 a.m. on Thursday.
They say the woman driving the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.
She has not been identified.
A section of the road where the crash took place was closed for much of the day but was expected to reopen later on Thursday afternoon.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs expected to call provincial election today
Sutherland House Experts Book Publishing Launches To Empower Quiet Experts
Alberta Premier Smith aims to help fund private school construction
Quebec won’t fund graphite mine project tied to Pentagon; locals claim ‘victory’
Nova Scotia NDP accuse government of prioritizing landlord profits over renters
N.B. election: Parties’ answers on treaty rights, taxes, Indigenous participation
Health Minister Mark Holland appeals to Senate not to amend pharmacare bill
Canada to face three-time champion Germany in Davis Cup quarterfinals
