MP Letter
Dear (MP NAME)
I want a choice in what I see on TV, hear on the radio and read in the newspaper and on the internet. I support a policy limiting concentrated and cross-ownership of the media in Canada.
We are already seeing less local content, less diversity of ideas in our media, and less representation of minority communities.
Allowing further cross-ownership of newspapers and broadcast stations, or further concentration in local and regional markets, will only worsen the problems. Voluntary codes intended to keep the various newsrooms of a single conglomerate separate are not enough, as we have seen with Quebecor's move to integrate newspaper and TV newsrooms in both the Province of Quebec and in Toronto.
Any public policy seeking to protect diversity in the media must recognize the simple fact that ownership matters.
I call for you as my representative to do everything in your power to push for policy that forces divestiture by media companies with concentrated holdings in a given market. I also call for the creation of and financial support for independent, community-based media in markets underserved by existing media, and for more funds to be directed to public broadcasters for the creation of Canadian programming.
Big Media is threatening to close the open Internet, so I'm also asking that the government define the rules for which ISPs may participate on the Internet and mandate the application and content neutrality of Internet access providers.
Thank you,
Name
END
