Proposed resolution for The City of Windsor council
Purpose: To support a healthy ecosystem for local journalism
Submitted by Dave Hall on behalf of ink-stainedwretches.org
Whereas a healthy, professional news media is essential for the proper functioning of
civil society and democracy at the local, regional, federal and international levels;
Whereas the Public Policy Forum declares — on its website for the 2017 report The
Shattered Mirror: News, Democracy and Trust in the Digital Age (commissioned by the
federal government) — that “real news is in crisis” in this country;
Whereas the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cited eight “critical
information needs” the media help to provide including emergencies; other public risks
to health; education; the environment; economic opportunities; civic and political
knowledge of policy initiatives; and the conduct of public officials, and candidates for
office ( The Shattered Mirrorp.4);
Whereas Canadians have lost the essential services provided by roughly 2,000 media
workers in 100 communities across Canada due to layoffs in only six weeks from the
time the COVID-19 pandemic began — a time it became clearer to the public how
important it is for Canadians to receive accurate information — and advertising