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News Media Canada applauded the introduction of Bill C-18, as the lobby group would after years of trying to get Ottawa to force tech giants to pay for linking to news. The law would encourage initial negotiations between publishers and platforms. Groaning over it is supplied by two reliable critics: Michael Geist and Peter Menzies.
Miller time for Hamilton media
Paul Miller has been critical of the way his ouster from the Ontario NDP was being covered, and the Hamilton Spectator responded with an explainer. The four-term MPP was the subject of past complaints and party drama. Meanwhile, his school trustee wife, Carole Paikin Miller, was censured for being “overtly anti-Muslim and racist.”
Jerry Dias is now being investigated by the financial crimes unit of Toronto Police. Unifor announced it turned over the $25,000 that its former head gave an employee, out of $50,000 that he allegedly received from a supplier of COVID-19 test kits. Dias subsequently retired from Unifor and entered rehab as the story unfolded in greater detail.
Toronto broadcast shuffle stuff
A channel switch from CTV to Global was announced for Colin D’Mello, who will continue reporting from Queen’s Park. Greater suspense is being dangled by Roz Weston, the longtime ET Canada face at Global who also does radio at Rogers. And bowdlerized Bell Media Radio announced a new duo to fill a recent void:
Boris Brott dead at 78. An alleged hit-and-run by a suspect who subsequently collided with multiple police cars killed the renowned conductor, who was walking just south of downtown Hamilton. Montreal-born Brott launched his career in England, then headed the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra, among other orchestral stints across Canada.
Finally, an expensive tweetstorm
Tory Lanez entered 2022 accused by Madonna of ripping off “Into the Groove,” and George Michael’s estate followed suit for him nicking “Careless Whisper.” And yet, Justin Bieber looked happy to hang in the studio with his fellow Canadian. Hovering over it all remain those criminal charges surrounding a shooting:
