Media Beat: September 28, 2018

By David Farrell

CTF demands an investigation into Blue Bombers stadium loan

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling for an inquiry after the Manitoba government announced it was writing off the second of two loan portions for Investors Group Field (IFG), leaving taxpayers on the hook for $200 million. – Joe Scarpelli, Global News

The Toronto Star reasserts paywall with ‘Digital Access’ sub fees

Like all news outlets in recent years, though, the Toronto Star has been forced to deal with the economic challenges brought on by declining print advertising revenue and a continuing shift in our reader habits from the printed newspaper to digital and mobile devices, including smartphones, computers and tablets.

With that reality in mind, today we are introducing Star Digital Access, our digital subscription plan on thestar.com.

It’s a major step that we hope you, our customers, will view as an investment in quality journalism and in the Star’s ability to continue to provide the kind of top-quality, in-depth local and investigative reporting for which we are known and respected. – Torstar president & CEO, John Boynton

High-quality journalism comes at a price. We invest the subscription money we receive from our print customers – and now from our digital and mobile customers – back into financing the award-winning journalism and promotion of democracy for which we are also known.

All visitors to thestar.com will have free access to five articles every 30 days before being asked to subscribe.

Forget firing the CBC’s far-left ideologues. Just unfund it

Reform must come at the top, and the only way that happens is by stopping the flow of government money that provides CBC executives with the power to shape the corporation’s ideological agenda. There is just one solution: Unfund the CBC. – Terence Corcoran, Financial Post

CBS Television Studios to open production hub in Mississauga

The company is promising the centre will bring hundreds of new jobs to the region and help expand its roster of television programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. – The Canadian Press

Chair of Australian Public Broadcaster resigns amid political scandal

The chairman of Australia’s public broadcaster has resigned after allegations that he compromised its independence by calling for the removal of a senior journalist because of pressure from the government.

Amid outrage from staff at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Justin Milne stood down on Tuesday, saying the “interests of the ABC have always been utmost in my mind”. He denied there had been any interference by the government in the ABC. – Amanda Meade, The Guardian

Who needs the Kardashians — Meet the new breed of influencers tapping social media’s ‘gold rush’

It’s a market that some sources have pegged as being worth more than $1 billion in Canada, but only a few influencers make more than $100,000. This is the gig economy, but for advertising, and navigating it can be tricky for both influencers and the brands that are tapping them. – James McLeod, Financial Post