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