J-Source

Media concentration isn’t going away

Bell’s plan to acquire Astral has once again raised the question: does media concentration concern you? Bell has been expanding steadily in recent years. Will their plan take Quebec the way of New Brunswick? Consumer advocates are expressing concern about the latest move, but it’s a longstanding issue. Media concentration was the focus of CRTC…

Bell’s plan to acquire Astral has once again raised the question: does media concentration concern you? Bell has been expanding steadily in recent years. Will their plan take Quebec the way of New Brunswick? Consumer advocates are expressing concern about the latest move, but it’s a longstanding issue. Media concentration was the focus of CRTC hearings in 2007, to little effect. Meanwhile, media moguls have been populating Canada's rich list. In the multi-platform age, cross-ownership is an increasingly significant related matter. You will find some good backgrounders on the issues here and here.

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Patricia W. Elliott is a magazine journalist and assistant professor at the School of Journalism, University of Regina. You can visit her at patriciaelliott.ca.