Using the Group capital cities Media: Quebecor raises concerns

Photo archive TOMA ICZKOVITS
The president and ceo of Quebecor, Pierre Karl Péladeau

QMI agency

Wednesday, 13 December 2017 18:11

UPDATE
Wednesday, 13 December 2017 18:14

Look at this article

MONTREAL | Quebecor raises concerns about the independence of the press concerning the assistance that would be granted to the Group capital cities Media, by the government of quebec.

• READ ALSO: financial Aid, capital cities Media: Couillard anxious to see the regional media disappear
• READ more: Quebec to the rescue of the Group capital cities Media

“Such aid, announced at the dawn of an election year, raises important issues about the independence of the press and methods of government support to a single speaker in the written press, while many other groups are facing the same challenges,” it emphasised in a statement released Wednesday.

Group capital cities Media, which includes regional dailies La Voix de l’est, La Tribune, Le Nouvelliste, The Sun and The Daily life, should obtain a loan of several millions to finance its transition to digital.

“If the Quebec government decides to subsidize the press, it should do so in the most transparent manner and according to conditions which will ensure the greater independence of the media. This can only be done after a reflection involving a set of partners of the civil society : media groups, journalists, academics, organizations and citizens.”

The newspapers of the group were formerly the property of Power Corporation and the Desmarais family, who is sold to keep only the log Press. This is the former liberal minister Martin Cauchon, who became the owner.