Media monopoly a mixed blessing
Postmedia’s purchase of all of Sun Media’s English-language papers will benefit smaller papers, but should be regarded with caution.
The $316-million deal includes 175 newspapers and digital publications, making Postmedia the largest consolidation of written media in the country.
In the last decade, many small-town newspapers across the country, such as the Kingston Whig-Standard, have experienced depletion in resources, resulting in less effective local news coverage.
This consolidation will help rejuvenate these smaller papers and make them more competitive, by providing them more of the resources they need.
While the sale is still pending the approval of the federal Competition Bureau, it’s important to consider Postmedia’s imminent monopoly with caution.
Newspapers have editorial autonomy, but the political stance of papers often mirrors their owners. As more conglomerates form, it’s important that diversity of news coverage remains intact moving forward.
