The reputation of Michel David, a seasoned observer of our political life, is well established. I was therefore surprised to note the omissions in his column “Losing your united soul”, published in The duty from September 19.
Michel David borrows a biblical parable: what good does it do for man to gain the universe if he ends up losing his soul? I didn’t do my catechesis, but I remembered this: let him who has never sinned cast the first stone. Your readers will be interested to learn that at the time these lines are written, several Quebec media, including The dutydisplay advertisements on Meta.
For the sake of transparency, it would have been relevant to mention that we are all in the same boat: Québec solidaire advertises on Meta for the same reason as them, namely to reach the millions of readers and voters, particularly young people, who are present on Facebook and Instagram, whether we like it or not.
Our decision does not prevent us from investing considerable sums in advertising placement in the Quebec press nor, like the Dutyto be critical of Meta and to demand a lasting solution to the media crisis.
On this question, Michel David rightly points out that our latest electoral platform claims full powers in culture and communications “in order to impose digital multinationals and finance local culture and media”. I would like to add, since its text does not do so, that Québec solidaire did not wait for the electoral campaign to make proposals.
Media funds
As early as 2020, Catherine Dorion proposed creating a Media Fund financed from a GAFAM tax. This proposal, updated in recent weeks, would free up $150 million annually. Invested in a Media Fund, half of the sum would triple Quebec’s support and free the essential work of journalists from the pressure of clicks and advertising revenue.
Failing to have taken any structuring action since coming to power, the Legault government has put all its eggs in the basket of the federal government, or counting on the goodwill of Meta. Today, the basic question remains. On the one hand, political parties are proposing to deprive GAFAM of a few thousand dollars in advertising money. On the other hand, Québec solidaire proposes to provide lasting funding of several tens of millions of dollars to the news media. Which solution is the most supportive? I’m not embarrassed to say that it’s ours, by far.
Michel David is worried about the soul of Québec solidaire. I, who was proudly alongside the longshoremen locked out of the Port of Quebec a few days ago, I reassure him: if there are scabs in Quebec, he will not find them here.