I guess it’s a case of ‘do as I say and not as we do’

Pillar to Post/By Craig Westcott

It’s been interesting to watch the politicians’ recent pleas to shop local.

The provincial and federal governments long ago stopped shopping locally when it comes to advertising and marketing. Instead, it uses the vast majority of Newfoundlanders’ and Canadians’ tax dollars to advertise with U.S. based social media platforms.

In the case of the provincial ads, some of those slick productions are seen by fewer than 300 people. By contrast, Premier Andrew Furey could reach over 20,000 people with just one ad in one edition of this newspaper. When it comes to value for money, the government would be far better stewards of our tax dollars if it advertised in local newspapers, and on local radio and television stations.

Last year, the government of Ontario headed by Rob Ford directed that 25 per cent of all advertising by provincial Crown agencies must be spent with Ontario newspapers. That policy has done a lot to reinvigorate the newspaper industry and local media in that province.

Ontario is not the only province to support its newspapers. Quebec offers a labour tax credit to Quebec newspapers to help offset the cost that publishers bear in employing local reporters and editors. The Manitoba government is also looking for ways to support print journalism.

And here in Newfoundland?

The Newfoundland government has shown no support for the newspaper industry. That’s surprising given the history our forestry, pulp and paper, and printing and publishing industries and the importance of those jobs to the provincial economy. When the government fails to share its advertising budget with newspapers on the Avalon peninsula, it’s not only ignoring those papers and their readers, but also the people who work in the woods industry in Deer Lake, and in the paper mill in Corner Brook. Call it province-wide negligence.

When the last newspaper printing press in this province closed in August, the current government moved not a finger to intervene or stave off its loss. The Premier did take a meeting with the union that represents reporters and pressmen from The Telegram but took no action to help.

There is a stream of thought that holds that politicians are glad to see local newspapers and radio stations close because it removes independent oversight and gives them more control over their message. I don’t subscribe to that view. Rather, I think the present government’s failure to support a free press is due to ignorance and neglect. The local newspaper industry has never really asked for anything, aside from a fair share of government advertising. The problem is we don’t ask very often and would be the last ones to “demand” it. Newspaper publishers and reporters aren’t the type to hold rallies on the steps of Confederation building to demand financial help or fairness when it comes to government spending on our industry. But we’re the ones who are there reporting when everyone else does it for their industries.

Judging by the way copies of this newspaper fly off the racks every week at the more than 175 locations where it is distributed throughout the Avalon peninsula, there is still a great demand for independent, printed news in Newfoundland. It’s disappointing that the premier and his MHAs don’t follow their own advice, or even follow the example of our readers, by shopping local.  

Still on the subject of local, I’ve been taking in some of the local senior hockey games lately, not as a reporter but as a fan. It really is good hockey. Many of the players are top flite athletes having played in major junior hockey leagues on the mainland. It’s fast, intense, and the teams are evenly weighted. The CBS Blues and Southern Shore Breakers have byes going into the playoffs with the CBN CeeBees, Clarenville Caribous, St. John’s Caps and the Outer Cove Marines playing off for the chance to meet the top two teams in the semi-finals. Really, any team could win the championship.

Some of my favourite memories as a boy are going to the old Memorial Stadium with my dad to watch the Caps play the Grand Falls Cataracts, or Corner Brook Royals in the old NAHA senior league. The building literally hummed with excitement and tension as the fans sat on tenterhooks following the play. The top players then were household names, as well known across the island as the biggest NHL stars.

I can truthfully say that the senior hockey players of today are as fast and as skilled as those stars of yesteryear. It’s excellent hockey and a great deal when it comes to entertainment. If you get a chance to see a game, grab a friend and go for it. It’s a great night out, and the players will appreciate your support.

Shop local.