Public Works Canada, the ministry responsible for supplying services to federal departments and agencies, has awarded a $1.25 million contract to a publicist to distribute government-vetted “news” to publishers and radio and TV stations, according to an article published Friday (December 19) by the Ottawa-based internet publication, Blacklock’s Reporter.
Journalist Tom Korski writes Public Works Canada said it wanted to “inform and educate Canadians on public issues”.
Korski quotes Shelley Middlebrook, the president of News Canada Ltd., saying the service gives editors handout stories free of charge bearing a “News Canada” credit. “Journalists either pick it up or they don’t.”
Asked if she thought the articles were propaganda she responded: “I don’t think so.”
More information:
Blacklock’s Reporter – Feds Pay $1.25M For ‘News’ Handouts To Media Editors – here
News Canada website – www.newscanada.com
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