THUNDER BAY – The federal government is extending the Local Journalism Initiative.
The Ministry of Heritage on Friday announced a three-year, $58.1-million extension of the program, which was initially funded for five years and scheduled to come to an end on March 31, 2024.
The Local Journalism Initiative was designed to cover the costs of journalists in areas of news poverty, including Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
More than 400 jobs in 2022-23 were funded through the program, providing news coverage in nearly 1,500 communities.
The fund, which in total will provide $128.8 million over the eight years through March 2027, is administered by non-for-profit organizations outside of government as a measure to protect the independence of the press.
“A free and independent press is vital in informing, engaging and connecting us as Canadians. We have responded to the disruptions and challenges facing news organizations and have consistently supported news organizations through funding programs, tax credits for hiring journalists, and the Online News Act,” said Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-Onge, in a release issued on Friday.
To assure underserved communities get the news they deserve, we will continue to support the Local Journalism Initiative, which helps Canadians get reliable facts and information when they need them.”
Dougall Media currently employs three journalists under the LJI program and the Chronicle-Journal has two journalists covered.
Content produced by LJI journalists is made available to participating organizations across the country.
Dougall Media’s LJI journalists cover communities to the east and west of Thunder Bay, as well as the city itself.
