By David Farrell
The Star’s Entertainment section is now less entertaining
Rumours have been swirling about the plight of The Star’s entertainment section, once a go-to read about books, movies, music and showbiz characters in or visiting the city. Former section scribbler Rob Salem went public with what he knows about the department in flux, and if it doesn’t answer all the pressing questions, it at least sheds some light on a once-influential voice that was home to a stable of literate, knowledgeable and oft opinionated writers who knew their subject matter and offered reasoned commentary about the beats they covered.
Broadcast regulatory reform: That is the question
On January 29, a federal government panel of experts submitted a report recommending that the Canadian Radio, Television and Telecommunications Commission be given new powers and responsibilities, including overseeing overseas streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon and Apple.
The Media Times offers an informed view of what is easily accomplished in the sprawling 235-page report that offers 97 recommendations for the federal government to consider in bringing Canada’s Broadcasting and Telecommunication Acts into the digital era.
The Globe and Mail views the sweeping reforms as “a regulatory power grab,” whereas the CAB commended the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel “for its timely and important report, Canada's Communications Future: Time to Act, and in particular, the Panel's recommendations on amendments to the Broadcasting Act.”
More whimsical perhaps is another headline from the Globe and Mail that reads as follows: Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault tells web giants it’s better to be ‘at the table than on the menu’
More reportage and opinion can be found online here.
Let's stop fixating on soft 'news' and pay attention to things that matter, Canada
Wyatt James Schierman makes a good point in an op-ed opinion piece published on the CBC News website, arguing that too many important stories are either overlooked or overshadowed by fluffy stuff about the PM’s beard, where he purchases donuts and all the hooey about Harry and Meghan.
Forbes releases its report on Canada’s best employers in 2020
The list is surprising, almost to the point of incredulity–but facts are facts and not surprisingly, one of Canada’s better-known donut shops isn’t on the list.
Oh, and the top four are, in descending order: Google, Toronto; Hydro-Quebec, Montreal; Cisco Systems, Toronto; and Costco Wholesale, Ottawa.
Graham Rockingham has now officially retired
Rockingham has been The Hamilton Spectator's music editor since 2002 and he completed his spirited tenure with the newspaper Jan. 31. His LinkedIn credentials show him starting as a reporter/editor and ending up as bureau chief with United Press Canada in Vancouver between 1981 and 1988, four years after attaining BA honours in History and Political Science at the U of Toronto. He went on to write for the Vancouver Province and Sun before landing his post at the Spec. He has also taught at Mohawk College and served 14 consecutive years as a Polaris Music Prize jurist. His measured prose and obvious affection for his subjects will be sorely missed.
Oh sure, Big Tech wants regulations––on its own terms
At Davos and beyond, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Co. are talking a big game about regulation, but in ways that protect their bottom line. – Justin Sherman, Wired
