Link hosts: Lynn Desjardins, Marc Montgomery, Levon Sevunts

Link hosts: Lynn Desjardins, Marc Montgomery, Levon Sevunts
Photo Credit: RCI

The LINK Online Sun. Oct.16, 2016

Your hosts again this week, Lynn and Marc

Listen
The UN wants countries to tax sugary drinks to reduce consumption that leads to overweight, diabetes and other health problems
The UN wants countries to tax sugary drinks to reduce consumption that leads to overweight, diabetes and other health problems © Seth Perlman/AP Photo

The World Health Organization (WHO) this week said countries should use tax policy to increase the price of sodas, sports drinks and all fruit juices in an effort to stem obesity, heart disease, diabetes and tooth decay.

A new survey in Canada said a majority of Canadians would support such a tax if the money was used to help fund various health services.

On average Canadians drink about 100 litres of sugary drinks each year. Just one 355ml tin of soft drink (eg cola, etc) alone contains almost as much sugar as the daily recommended limit.

Many are drinking more fruit juice mistakenly thinking that it’s a healthier alternative.

Lynn spoke to Manuel Arango, director of health policy and advocacy at the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation

 Drum dancing on the St. John’s harbour front starting off iNuit Blanche
Drum dancing on the St. John’s harbour front starting off iNuit Blanche. © Inuit Studies Conference 2016/Facebook

A major conference this past weekend brought together a variety of artists, scholars, government officials, and representatives of stakeholder groups to discuss Inuit issues.

A major conference was held in St John’s in the Atlantic island province of Newfoundland this past weekend.

It brought together Inuit representatives from all across Canada’s north, as well as scholars, policy makers and a variety of other stakeholders, all to discuss Inuit and northern issues.

But it also highlighted Inuit artists and performers, and the need for a dedicated performancing arts centre in the territory of Nunavut

Levon spoke with northern poet, performer and activist Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory

  • Canadian Song-  Mike Ford- from the 2005 album ‘Canada Needs You, Vol-1 ” this is a lighthearted song about an actual place and actual enigma..it’s called Oak Island Mystery
Many newspapers in Canada have ceased to publish, and thousands of journalists have lost their jobs. In his new book, Ian Gill says that’s a serious concern for a democratic society.
Many newspapers in Canada have ceased to publish, and thousands of journalists have lost their jobs. In his new book, Ian Gill says that’s a serious concern for a democratic society. © Getty Images/Flikr RF

Long understood to be a pillar of democracy, journalism in Canada is slowly being eroded.

It’s considered a pillar of democracy because it is journalists who report on the activities of politicians and other aspects of society which keep the public informed and aware, thus journalists keep a watchful eye on affairs and sound the alarm if need be.

But in Canada, newspapers and media outlets are being closed, or merged, and newsrooms disappeared or scaled back. In many cases corporate business interests own the media, further meaning journalists may have concerns about keeping their jobs if reporting on bad corporate practices of the entity and people who pay them.

In his new book, Ian Gill says all this is a major concern in Canada where thousands of journalists have lost their jobs, dozens of small and media papers have closed and/or been absorbed as has been the case with several radio stations as well. He says several government inquiries into concentration of media ownership have also gone nowhere.

He says all this means fewer voices, fewer opinions, fewer investigative reports. Marc spoke to this former journalist and now owner of Discourse Media about his new book No News is Bad News-Canada’s Media Collapse and What Comes Next.

This is an excerpt of part 1 of the 2 part series.

Images of the week

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags:

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.