Champion the truth
BY STEVE NIXON
Executive Director, Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association
I am very concerned. You should be too.
Recently, I read some statistics on how Canadians are navigating their way through the whole “Fake News” issue. Apparently, 69% of us cannot tell the difference between which news is real and which isn’t. I am alarmed. We all need to be.
Today, it seems that the real news is being drowned out by an avalanche of so-called “fake” news that is nothing more than opinion pieces and marketing strategies to get us to buy a product, vote a certain way or for some other nefarious motive.
When I read my newspaper, either online or in print, I can at least trust the journalism. I certainly don’t like all that I see but at least I have some recourse if I feel strongly about something that has been written. In an essence, I know where they live. Their shingle is above the door. They have a mailing address and a phone number.
Now I am concerned about the “real” part of the news. Much of it originates from newspapers and although we all love, and hate, the news that is being reported, I am very worried that it may go away, leaving us with only opinions and marketing sales tactics. I, for one, will not stand for this. You should not either.
To celebrate this year’s National Newspaper Week and give Canadians the chance to wear their support on their sleeve, News Media Canada has partnered with Canadian fashion designer Hayley Elsaesser to launch a limited-edition capsule collection, which includes a t-shirt, tote bag and face mask. All items will be emblazoned with the words “news” and “truth” in various languages spoken across Canada and proceeds will be donated to organizations that support Canadian journalism.
I will champion the truth during the National Newspaper Week and show my support for the Canadian news media industry. Please consider doing the same and help keep the “real” news alive.
To find out more about this year’s National Newspaper Week campaign, visit www.nationalnewspaperweek.ca.
