Google partners with organization to allocate $100 million to Canadian news outlets

Google has announced the organization that will be responsible for distributing the $100 million annual fund promised to Canadian news publishers in order to be exempt from the Online News Act. The Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC) has been selected to ensure that eligible news organizations receive their share of the money.

The CJC is a federally incorporated non-profit organization that was established in May by a group of independent publishers and broadcasters. The steering committee consists of 12 independent media outlets representing French language, community, Indigenous news, and publications that cater to Black and minority Canadians. Some of the organizations involved include Pivot, The Resolve, IndigiNews, Village Media, and the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations.

Sadia Zaman, the CJC’s independent board director, stated that the collective is committed to distributing the funding in a fair, transparent, and inclusive manner. The committee plans to establish its governance structure in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth distribution process.

News organizations that wish to receive compensation under the Online News Act must meet certain criteria, including being designated as qualified Canadian journalism organizations under the Income Tax Act, producing news content of public interest, operating in Canada, and employing at least two journalists. The funds will be distributed proportionately based on the number of full-time journalists employed by each company.

Small print and digital outlets can expect to receive approximately $17,000 per journalist they employ, according to an official from the Canadian Heritage Department. The government has placed a cap on the amount of funding that larger broadcasters like CBC/Radio-Canada can receive, with CBC/Radio-Canada limited to a $7 million share of the annual fund.

Overall, $30 million will be reserved for other broadcasters, while the remaining $63 million will be distributed among qualifying news outlets such as newspapers and digital platforms. The CJC’s role in overseeing the distribution of these funds will be crucial in supporting the Canadian news industry and ensuring a fair allocation of resources.