The impact of the Online News Act on local journalism

The podcast episode discusses the detrimental effects of the Online News Act, also known as Bill C18, on local journalism in Canada. The host, Paul Wells, interviews Jeff LG, the founder of Village Media, a successful local news company. LG had built Village Media into a thriving business with over 200 employees, providing salary and benefits to real reporters in smaller communities. However, the introduction of the Online News Act, aimed at making big web giants pay for linking to news organizations, has caused major disruptions. Facebook has stopped carrying links to news entirely, and Google may follow suit. This loss of traffic and revenue has forced Village Media to put their growth plans on hold and poses a significant threat to their business. Despite the negative impact, LG expresses disappointment in the government's lack of understanding and engagement with small business owners like himself throughout the process.