After two plus years of discussion with their Industry members, the Press Councils of British Columbia, Atlantic Canada and Ontario are merging their organizations to form the new National Newsmedia Council (NNC) effective September 2015.
This is an exciting development that has come about through a truly collaborative effort of the three Press Councils and representatives of their Industry members and Newspapers Canada. A major turning point was reached earlier this year when Postmedia and their newly acquired Sun papers indicated that they would resume membership once a National Council was established.
Together with the majority of the daily and community newspapers across the country who have expressed support for the National Council concept, we have achieved a financially stable, cost efficient and effective operational model and we are ready to launch.
A Transition Committee has overseen the development of the initial terms of operation. I would sincerely like to thank the members of the committee for their hard work and thorough commitment to the success of this new organization. The members of the Transition Committee are:
National Media Council Transition Committee
- Abbas Homayed, CCNA Chair, Publisher, Sudbury Northern Life
- Bob Cox, CNA Chair, Publisher, Winnipeg Free Press
- John Hinds, CEO, Newspapers Canada
- Gerry Nott, Senior Vice President, Postmedia
- Tim Shoults, Vice President of Content, Glacier, CCNA, British Columbia Press Council
- Peter Haggert, Former Editor-in-Chief, Metroland, Ontario Press Council
- Sylvia Stead, Public Editor, Globe and Mail
- Thane Burnett, Content Director, Transcontinental
- Kathy English, Public Editor, Toronto Star
- Patricia Graham, Public Editor, Brunswick
- Shelley Chrest, Chair, British Columbia Press Council
- Miller Ayre, Chair, Atlantic Canada Press Council
- Frances Lankin, Chair, Ontario Press Council
- Ken Sims, Executive Secretary, Atlantic
- Rollie Rose, Executive Director, British Columbia
- Don McCurdy, Executive Director, Ontario Press
The Transition Committee struck a number of subcommittees dealing with issues such as governance, fee structure, code/standards, communications and CEO hiring. Over the next few weeks, each subcommittee Chair will provide a short update in the News on News e-bulletin to give members an overview of their subcommittee’s work.
Immediately after Labour Day, we will be announcing the appointment of the new CEO of NNC. I know you will all be impressed with the caliber, stature and senior industry experience of the successful candidate. You will also be hearing from Newspapers Canada about the change in the billing process for your membership in the NNC. As part of our effort to finding cost efficiencies, all back office operations will be provided to the NNC by newspapers Canada including our membership fee billings.
We are excited about the launch of the NNC and look forward to working with you to ensure the establishment of a vibrant, credible and efficient organization to serve both the industry and the public.
The Honorable Frances Lankin, PC, CM
Incoming Chair
National Newsmedia Council
