Concentration to Convergence: Media Ownership in Canada

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Topic spans: 1960 - 2003

Concentration to Convergence: Media Ownership in Canada

In the world of mega mergers and convergence, there's growing concern about a monopoly of ideas. Reporters argue increased ownership will shake the very foundation democracy is founded upon. Owners say it's the only way Canadian press can survive in the new global economy. Press ownership has been officially debated, studied and scrutinized in Canada since the 1969 Royal Commission on Newspapers. Is freedom of the press guaranteed only to those who own one? It's a debate that continues to percolate.

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9 television clips

6 radio clips

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Ken Thomson condemns the Davey report

Broadcast Date: Dec. 11, 1970

"Inaccurate" and "unfair" is how Ken Thomson describes Senator Keith Davey's report on the concentration of media in Canada. The head of the Thomson group of newspapers tells CBC's Peter Gzowski that he is "displeased and disappointed" with the commission's findings. The newspaper baron dismisses its recommendations saying it's like teaching Rembrandt how to paint.

Some of Davey's key proposals include:
• Establishing a press ownership review board in an attempt to limit the concentration of ownership
• Setting up a publications development loan fund to help those wishing to enter the newspaper business
• Creating a press council to deal with public complaints

Ken Thomson condemns the Davey report

• In 1965 Roy Thomson, the founder of the Thomson group of newspapers, joked to Mordecai Richler on CBC's This Hour Has Seven Days that editorial content is the stuff you separate the ads with. When asked what his favourite music was, Thomson said it was the "sound of radio commercials at ten bucks a whack."
• Internationally, Thomson owned the Scotsman of Edinburgh, the Times and Sunday Times of London.

• Senator Keith Davey was a former advertising executive and a radio broadcaster.
• The Davey report was the first comprehensive study into the history of media concentration in Canada. The government ignored Davey's key recommendations but his findings sparked a national dialogue on press freedom.

Ken Thomson condemns the Davey report

Medium: Radio

Program: Radio Free Friday

Broadcast Date: Dec. 11, 1970

Guest(s): Ken Thomson

Host: Peter Gzowski

Duration: 17:07

Photo: Ken Thomson

Last updated:
April 3, 2008

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