At least one candidate for Sask Party leader has lent his support to community newspapers in the province.
The Ken Cheveldayoff campaign has voiced support for community newspapers, saying in a statement that “community papers not only serve the community by providing information, but, they also create an important sense of connection and belonging.”
Cheveldayoff has come out with a plan to support the sector, which has been struggling of late with news of recent closures in the province. Those include the Moose Jaw Times-Herald, which closed in December.
In a news release Cheveldayoff has committed to “encourage all Government Ministries, Agencies, Departments, Crowns, and Commissions to increase newspaper advertising, as appropriate, particularly in the form of Paid Public Notices. These notices will be viewed as vital information pieces, which in some cases may only be accessed through the local newspaper.”
“With Saskatchewan newspapers reaching over 500,000 readers across Saskatchewan (according to the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association) this will ensure much greater access to crucial information,” the campaign news release states. “Advance notice of important events, such as Planned Power Outages or Flu Shot Clinics, will allow residents to make more informed decisions to improve their lives.”
The initiative was also being touted for supporting jobs as well as other businesses in local communities. According to the Cheveldayoff campaign, “not only will this initiative greatly assist community newspapers, and their readers, but it will support and strengthen communities themselves.”
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