The Independent Press Gallery (IPG) is condemning the office of Lena Diab after it confirmed the department will only respond to journalists who meet government-approved criteria tied to federal media subsidy rules.
According to a Department of Immigration notice on media accreditation, officials will only provide media relations services to journalists representing “bona fide media organizations” defined using criteria similar to the “qualified journalism designation” in the federal Income Tax Act.
That designation is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency and is used to determine which newsrooms qualify for federal subsidies and preferential tax treatment for subscribers.
However, subsidies and tax credits do not determine the act of journalism. The Income Tax Act itself does not define journalism.
Guidance issued by the Canada Revenue Agency in 2019 stated eligible news organizations must demonstrate practices such as publishing government statements and offering rebuttal opportunities to those criticized, including federal departments.
The immigration department declined to explain the policy or its refusal to answer questions from independent media.
Parliament amended the Income Tax Act in 2019 to provide payroll rebates to government-approved media organizations worth up to $29,750 per newsroom employee.
The Independent Press Gallery of Canada is calling on Minister Diab’s office to end the exclusion of independent journalists and restore equal access to government communications.
Sheila Gunn Reid
President, Independent Press Gallery
info@independentpressgallery.com