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In a striking contrast of priorities, the federal government has chosen to fund Canada’s entry in the Eurovision Song Contest while ignoring the collapse of independent third-language community media across the country, according to media advocates.
For the past two years, representatives from multicultural media organizations have engaged in discussions with the Department of Canadian Heritage, sharing research and proposing solutions to address the crisis facing programs that serve audiences in over 75 languages including Ukrainian, Punjabi, Mandarin, Farsi, Russian, and Italian. Despite these efforts, the government maintains there is “lots of support” already available – a claim that media advocates strongly dispute.
The decline of local community journalism comes at a time when Canadians are expressing a growing desire for more local news coverage. An Ipsos study released earlier this year found that 87% of Canadians consider local news essential for democracy. This need is particularly acute in major urban centers like Toronto and Vancouver, where nearly half the population speaks a language other than English or French at home.
Yet despite their critical role in Canadian society, third-language local community media outlets remain completely excluded from federal support programs designed to bolster journalism in Canada.
The importance of these outlets extends far beyond cultural preservation. According to industry experts, they serve as a crucial first line of defense against disinformation campaigns targeting diaspora communities. When trusted local voices disappear, the resulting information vacuum becomes vulnerable to foreign propaganda specifically designed to manipulate these audiences.
Igor Malakhov, executive director of the “Empower Canadian Ethnic Media” campaign and editor-in-chief of Vestnik.ca, a Russian-language television program on OMNI 1, brings particular insight to this concern. Having studied journalism in Moscow in the early 1990s, Malakhov reveals that he was trained in techniques to blend truth with manipulation to create effective propaganda – the same formula now amplified through AI and social media algorithms to spread misinformation online.
“The best antidote isn’t another task force or AI filter. It’s strong local journalism — with a face, integrity, and a deep understanding of the community it serves,” Malakhov argues.
Within their respective communities, anchors and journalists working in third-language media carry the same level of recognition and trust that mainstream figures like Peter Mansbridge once commanded for English-speaking audiences. This established credibility plays a vital role in keeping community members connected to factual information rather than misleading content.
The concerns about foreign interference make this issue particularly timely. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has issued warnings about “steady, and in some cases increasing, foreign interference activity by state actors” targeting Canada. Against this backdrop, the decision to prioritize funding for Eurovision participation over supporting domestic journalists appears increasingly questionable.
Media advocates warn that allowing third-language community programs to collapse would represent not just a cultural loss but a strategic one as well. It would effectively surrender the information landscape of multicultural Canada to potential manipulation by foreign actors seeking to influence these communities.
“Once the trust in authentic local voices is gone, no AI filter or social-media regulation will bring it back,” Malakhov cautions.
The solution, according to advocates, involves not only preserving existing multicultural media but helping these outlets transition successfully into the digital and AI-driven future – ensuring that Canadian voices in every language remain trusted, visible, and independent.
As the crisis in local and multicultural media continues to deepen, the disconnect between government priorities and community needs raises serious questions about Canada’s commitment to protecting the information integrity of its increasingly diverse population.
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8 Comments
This is a disappointing decision by the government. Funding Eurovision while ignoring the plight of independent multilingual media outlets that serve diverse communities is puzzling. Addressing disinformation should be a higher priority than investing in a song contest.
This is a concerning development. Funding Eurovision over addressing disinformation issues in minority language media seems misguided. These community outlets play a vital role in informing diverse populations, especially during times of crisis or uncertainty.
I agree, the government should prioritize supporting local community journalism that serves multilingual audiences. Disinformation is a serious threat that requires a comprehensive strategy, not just funding for cultural events.
I’m surprised the government is choosing to fund Eurovision over addressing the crisis facing independent multilingual media. These community outlets are vital sources of information for many Canadians. Neglecting them in favor of an international song contest seems short-sighted.
Agreed. The government should be doing more to support these crucial local media outlets, especially at a time when disinformation is a growing concern. Prioritizing Eurovision over this seems like a misalignment of priorities.
This decision by the government is puzzling. Shouldn’t supporting local journalism that serves multicultural communities be a higher priority than a Eurovision entry? Disinformation is a major threat, and these community media outlets play a crucial role in combating it.
It’s troubling to see the government ignoring the crisis facing independent multilingual media outlets. Their decline undermines access to reliable information for many Canadians. Investing in Eurovision seems like an odd priority compared to addressing this pressing issue.
Absolutely. Funding the Eurovision entry while neglecting community media that informs diverse audiences in their own languages is a strange and misguided decision. The government needs to reconsider its priorities here.