Canada is two years into a news media bailout that Trudeau cabinet ministers promised would be conducted with the utmost transparency. Instead, the process and which outlets are getting funding (and how much) is information that has been veiled in secrecy. 

What's more is that in order to apply for these government bailout programs, one must first pass the (also secretive) litmus test for whether or not it is worthy of being deemed a Qualified Canadian Journalism Organization (QCJO).

This week, we speak to the chair of the board who helps make these decisions. 

Featured in this episode: Colette Brin, journalism professor at Université Laval

Further reading:
Minister vows transparency over $600M media fund, defends inclusion of Unifor, CTV News
Journalists question Liberal government's $600M media bailout plan, CBC News
FILDEBRANDT: Trudeau’s media approval board agree, the Western Standard are ‘qualified journalists’, Western Standard

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