Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps wants to look at media concentration levels in Canada.
The federal government announced in Parliament on March 12 that Copps will appoint a panel to examine media concentration issues. Copps is specifically interested in media convergence issues, such as companies owning different types of media such as newspapers, television, and radio.
No information has yet been given on exactly when the panel the will struck or who will be on it.
The move comes just short months after several large media deals led to an unprecedented level of media convergence in Canada. Last year CanWest Global scooped up most of Hollinger Corp.’s Canadian newspapers, including 50 per cent of the National Post.
At the time, Copps said she was not prepared to change media ownership laws. “Those who would like to open up restrictions on foreign ownership would like to have only one media industry for the world, and I don’t think that’s healthy for anybody,” she said. “I think it’s important that we have diversity of opinion.”