NCRA/ANREC Statement on the renewal of the Local Journalism Initiative

[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]

March 1st, 2024—Ottawa The NCRA/ANREC is thrilled to share the news shared today by the Canadian Minister of Heritage that the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) has been renewed for three more years!

This  LJI  plays a pivotal role in supporting community-based journalism, ensuring that underserved communities’ diverse needs are adequately addressed. Today’s Announcement of $58.8 million in funding to extend the Local Journalism Initiative for the next three years (2024-27) is welcomed by the National Campus and Community Radio Association and its members, knowing this will assist in addressing the news deserts that the Canadian media landscape is challenged with. Since its inception, the LJI has made significant strides in empowering local stations and contributing to the resilience of our democracy. 

As local news and information continue to erode, the resultant vacuum is being filled by unreliable sources and amplified through social media algorithms, detrimentally impacting our society and democratic principles. The consequences are evident in the rise of misinformation, such as widespread beliefs in election fraud, global shortages of horse medication based on unfounded claims, and a barrage of vaccine disinformation on social media platforms.

We are thankful for the news of renewal since this means the LJI 2.0 can continue to impact other communities, enhancing their capacity to make high-quality and well-informed audio news and other forms of media for Canadians all over the country.

The NCRA/ANREC recognizes the need to continue supporting local initiatives like this that advocate funding for other voices to be heard and for communities all over the country to be reached. 

For more information:
Barry Rooke, Executive Director – NCRA/ANREC barry@ncra.ca 
About the NCRA/ANREC:
The National Campus and Community Radio Association/L’Association nationale des radios étudiantes et communautaires (“NCRA/ANREC”) is a not-for-profit national association working to recognize, support, and encourage volunteer-based, non-profit, public-access campus, community and native radio broadcasters in Canada. We provide advice and advocacy for individual campus and community (“c/c”) stations and conduct lobbying and policy development initiatives with a view to advancing the role and increasing the effectiveness of our sector. Our goals are to ensure stability and support for individual stations and to promote the long-term growth and effectiveness of the sector. The NCRA/ANREC currently has 129 member stations.

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