Regulatory, Telecom & Media News – Google launches online campaign against Bill C-11

Google has launched an online campaign against Bill C-11 featuring the tag line “Keep YouTube Yours.” The campaign was launched Wednesday, one day after the company’s President of Global Affairs, Kent Walker, was in Ottawa to lobby government officials. In a blog post, YouTube Chief Product Officer Neil Mohan writes “what’s deeply concerning is that the current version of the Bill has the potential to disadvantage the Canadian creators who build their businesses on our platform, and change the personalized experience of millions of Canadians who visit YouTube every day.” Mohan says in its current form, Bill C-11 would require YouTube to manipulate its algorithm according to the CRTC’s priorities, rather than the interests of Canadian users. Google maintains that will put Canadian creators at a disadvantage as when users are recommended content that is not personally relevant, they react by tuning out, skipping the video, or even giving it a ‘thumbs down’. 

The Nieman Foundation is accepting applications for the class of 2024. Approximately 24 journalists from around the world will be selected to participate in the 2023-24 academic year at Harvard. Candidates can additionally be considered for the Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation or the Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowship. The deadline for applications is Dec. 1.

Women in Communications and Technology (WCT) has launched Opening Doors, a program aimed at helping women advocate for policy and systemic change within the Canadian digital workplace. With partner, Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), Opening Doors will enable women to engage with decision makers from top Canadian corporations to re-examine company policies and establish best practices to increase the contributions and hiring of women in the ICT industries. Opening Doors will put an emphasis on underrepresented communities, with the goal of attracting people who identify as women between the ages 25-35, and 50% of its delegates from equity-deserving groups. Applications will close Oct. 24.