Episode 1:
Who gets to tell Canada’s story?
Who will shape Canada’s media future? And is our democracy and sovereignty at risk? Welcome to CanConversations, a new podcast from Friends of Canadian Media and The Walrus Lab, hosted by Friends‘ Executive Director, Raj Shoan.
In our first episode, we discuss the state of Canadian media, its history, and its future. Joined by communications lawyer, Peter Miller and Executive Director of The Walrus, Jennifer Hollett, we explore how Canada has historically protected its broadcasting systems and ownership.
In the last two decades, with the rise of the Internet and American companies dominating media, Canadians have less control over the content they see and where it comes from. With the decline of local news, the difficulty of enforcing traditional regulation on the Internet, and the threats Canada faces from Donald Trump, it’s time for a renewed conversation about Canadian independence and cultural sovereignty.
Our Guests
Peter Miller
Peter Miller is a communications and broadcast lawyer with over 30 years of experience in media and telecommunications, public policy, planning, and development. He serves as an advisor to Friends of Canadian Media.
Jennifer Hollett
Jennifer Hollett is the Executive Director of The Walrus, the former head of news and government for Twitter in Canada, and a former MuchMusic VJ.
She won a Canadian Online Publishing Award for her work hosting CBC’s G20 Street Level blog during the G20 Summit in Toronto, and was recognized by Amnesty International Canada with a 2009 Media Award for her CBC radio reporting from Israel and Palestine. She has appeared frequently as a commentator on CTV, CBC, and Newstalk 1010.