Update from the President

Newsmedia Canada – A New Newspaper Association

All AWNA members were invited to attend an open CCNA/Newspapers Canada discussion meeting with Alan Allnutt and Paul MacNeill who have been tasked with reviewing the industry and collecting feedback from community newspapers across the country on amalgamating the Canadian Newspapers Association and Canadian Community Newspapers Association into one national entity – Newsmedia Canada.

The proposal presented calls for the creation of a single board,
consisting of directly appointed corporate members and elected
independents from across the country. Regional associations would cease
to operate in their current form. The new association would deliver core
services to all members. Non-core services will be offered on a
fee-for-service basis.

Details of the model are outlined in: Newsmedia Canada – A New Newspaper Association. Discussion notes presented at the meeting are contained in: Newsmedia Canada – Discussion Letter. To view these documents, please click on the links below.

NewsmediaCanada_Model.pdf

NewsmediaCanada_DiscussionLetter.pdf

Most of those present in Leduc were skeptical of this being a viable model as presented and shared concerns over the practicality of daily papers and community newspapers, and all other media, having shared priorities for such an association. Concerns were also expressed with the Governance model outlined, noting a lack of regional representation in Alberta and Western Canada.

Mr. Allnutt described the proposed Newsmedia Canada as being ‘primarily a lobbying voice to Federal Government and having an industry promotion/advocacy role’. Other functions of a restructured national association may include an Awards program, but little detail has been worked out as to what core services members may want from a National association.

As CCNA moves forward with restructuring the association, input from stakeholders is vital to the process. Mr. MacNeill is open to receiving email or phone calls from members wanting to contribute their thoughts. Paul can be contacted at: paul@peicanada.com, or 902-313-0072 (cell).

Your AWNA Board of Directors has discussed the Newsmedia Canada proposal and concluded that CCNA does need to reevaluate its financial model, as well as its role and relevance within the industry. AWNA does see value in being part of the ongoing discussion and offering input towards a stronger National Association, but at this point is not committed to the concept presented. Further clarity on actual benefits to our members is required. It was noted that AWNA would continue to operate until such time as the stakeholders/members decide otherwise and will not cease operations to accommodate a National entity.

DAVE BRUHA