Future of news forums

News &
Events

Overview

Over the past decade, widespread use of the internet has changed how people get their news, but most Canadian news organizations have been slow to adapt to this trend, and have thus far struggled to generate sufficient revenue from their online services.  Many Canadian news organizations have reduced the number of journalists they have on staff and are producing fewer stories outside their immediate communities, consequently relying on news agencies – who are also reducing staff – to provide the rest of their content.

These cost-cutting measures lead to serious doubts about whether news organizations can continue to provide the public with the high quality content they need. As a result, two national research organizations have taken upon themselves to examine these changes.

The Canadian Media Research Consortium (CMRC) recently revealed two new studies about news consumer habits, the impact of technology, and issues of trust and quality at its first-ever invitational Future of News Summit in Toronto this May. And, together with the Network for Journalism Excellence, it is now launching a series of public forums to discuss the future of news.

These forums will bring together journalists and the public to discuss matters that are critical to the future well-being of the Canadian news industry. They will help illuminate the changes that are taking place in the news industry and will look into whether the public feel these changes are better serving them and their communities.  After all, today’s news landscape presents more choices than ever before. Audiences no longer rely solely on traditional media, and they are prepared to search for news sources that provide them with the accuracy and quality they are seeking.

The first forum will take place on Sept. 22 in Vancouver, followed by later dates this Nov. in Montreal, and in Toronto and Halifax in 2009, with the possibility of scheduling more events later on.

Sponsors

The forum, “Will the Public Control the Future of News?” is a free public event sponsored by The Canadian Media Research Consortium, The Network for Journalism Excellence, The British Columbia Press Council, and UBC’s Graduate School of Journalism.

More

To learn more about the CMRC's Future of News research, please see the links below.

Future of New Forum: Vancouver

This is the first in a cross-country series of the forums that will bring together journalists and the public to discuss matters that are critical to the future well-being of the Canadian news industry.

The Importance of Valuable Content

New revenue models, emerging technologies and alternative news gathering approaches were discussed, but, above all, the summit’s speakers and delegates repeatedly championed one concept to be the most important in ensuring a strong and profitable Canadian news industry: quality. It is tremendously important for news organizations to provide valuable, quality content to its readers.

Increasingly Sophisticated Audiences Adapting to Digital Platforms

While there are signs of declining interest and increasing cynicism among audiences, more Canadians appear to be consuming news via digital platforms, two new CMRC studies reveal. And it appears that a preference for quality content may be compelling them to go online.

The Credibility Gap: Canadians and their news media

While there are signs of declining interest and increasing cynicism among audiences, more Canadians appear to be consuming news via digital platforms, our new study reveals. And it appears that they may be going online because of a preference for quality content.    

Online Canadians and News

We are please to present our new study, which looks at daily media use and news consumption. The study consisted of 1,000 interviews, and its key objective was to understand the interplay of the internet and traditional media among those who have access to both.

Invitational Future of News Summit

On May 29, 2008, the CMRC hosted the first-ever Invitational Summit of media leaders in Canada. The one-day event brought together the best minds in the news industry and media studies to consider some of the challenges posed by today’s media landscape.



CONTACT US: Phone: 604-822-9789 | E-mail: cmrcccrm@interchange.ubc.ca
Copyright © 2008 CMRC/CCRM. All rights reserved. Site by Graphically Speaking

The Credibility Gap

Canadians and their news media

Online Canadians and the News

Media use and news consumption