The Nest’s List of Independent News Media

Credit: Toronto Star

In The Nest's last issue, student journalist Max von Dehn took a look at Canada's notably corporate controlled news media landscape, and what it meant for the future of local news.

The Canadian journalism ecosystem is well-established to be dominated by a few key players. Decades of reports from academic institutions, consulting groups, governmental commissions, and news media themselves have confirmed the true-north-strong-and-free's lack of news media diversity. 

Here’s one example: nearly every major Canadian daily newspaper are in the hands of the Postmedia network, owning 34 of the country's 77. Included in its collection of media "brands" are the Vancouver Sun and the Province, BC's largest papers. 

The community paper scene provincially features a similar lack of independence and diversity. The BlackPress publishing company has a substantial presence across the Pacific Northwest, owning more than 170 publications across BC, Alberta, Yukon, Washington, California, and Hawaii. Most of BackPress' titles are concentrated in BC. (Disclosure: BlackPress' Vancouver-based printing division VanPress is The Nest's printer.)

Extensive corporate ownership has been found to diminish the independence and reliability of media outlets within a company's collection. Editors with the goal of producing great journalism and management with the goal of producing great profits generally don't coincide well at the clogomerate level, exemplified well in Canadaland's reporting on that exact issue within Postmedia's newsrooms.

Reporting by Sam Smart for the Maple took a deep dive into the history of management interference in editorial decisions across media organizations nationally.

Despite the historically concentrated nature of the industry in Canada, in recent years, a spark of coast-to-coast journalism innovation spurred the onset of increased consumer choice in news and the development of independent media.

David Beers and Robyn Smith, respectively the founder and (outgoing) Editor-in-Chief of the Tyee, holistically called this collective of new, innovative outlets the “independent digital public interest journalism sector”, in their joint 2017 Policy Options op-ed.

Every outlet I cited above is a part of this sector. Canadaland, the Maple, and the Tyee are members of Canada's growing independent media, as high-quality alternatives beyond established sites, papers, and networks. 

So without further delay, here's a non-exhaustive list of trusted independent media, broken into four sections relevant to The Nest’s readership. All descriptions are from the respective outlets, obtained via their websites or their listing on unfettered.com. If you find or know more, email me at ehnewspaper@gmail.com so I can check it out and add it!

(For the crowd that likes to get news of a random Instagram page: these outlets are here for you. Find something you're interested in and learn something from them. Not Instagram.)

The Nest’s List of Independent Media

NATIONAL MEDIA

The Breach - The Breach is an independent media outlet in Canada that produces critical journalism to help map a just, viable future. We publish investigations, analysis and videos about the crises of racism, inequality, colonialism, and climate breakdown, while providing a platform for voices you won’t often find in establishment media.

Canadaland - Canadaland is a news site and podcast network funded by its audience. Our primary focus is on Canadian media, news, current affairs, and politics. Our podcasts get over 100,000 downloads per week.

Indigenous Watchdog - Indigenous Watchdog is dedicated to monitoring and reporting on how reconciliation is advancing on the critical issues that are impacting the Indigenous world – including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. Our mission is to raise awareness on Indigenous issues and help “Close the Gap” on socio-economic outcomes separating the indigenous world from the rest of Canada.

New Canadian Media - New Canadian Media provides nonpartisan news and views representing all Canadian immigrant communities. 

The Line - We are a collection of Canadian newspaper and magazine writers creating an outlet for engaging, irreverent writing. We’re not culture warriors. We’re not partisan. But we are tired of institutional cultures enforcing a state of stifling conformity.

The Logic - In-depth reporting on the innovation economy

The Maple - The morning email that brings you up to speed on the top stories in Canadian politics, with progressive analysis of the news and ideas driving the day.

The Narwhal - Our team of investigative journalists dives deep to tell stories about Canada’s natural world you can’t find anywhere else.

National Observer - Observer Media Group has led the digital re-invention of Canadian media, driven the national conversation on energy and climate change, and made history as the first all-digital publication to win a National Newspaper Award and a Michener Award citation.

Passage - Passage offers left-wing perspectives on politics, economics, and culture from Canadian writers and thinkers.

The Pigeon - The Pigeon is your source of in-depth, long-form reporting about Canada-wide topics.

Rabble.ca - We are an award-winning, independent, community-driven media. Among the first digital journalism organizations in Canada, and the first to incorporate as non-profit, rabble.ca has been at the forefront of reporting on national politics with a progressive lens that centres issues of social movements, of labour, and of grassroots activism.

Ricochet - Ricochet is an audacious response to a difficult context. Independent, dedicated to investigative journalism and incisive opinion, Ricochet seeks to illuminate the cultural and political diversity within Canada.

The Walrus - The Walrus provokes new thinking and sparks conversation on matters vital to Canadians. As a registered charity, we publish independent, fact-based journalism, produce national, ideas-focused events, and train emerging professionals in publishing and nonprofit management.

BC MEDIA

The Columbia Journal - The Columbia Journal is a positive progressive alternative to the conservative corporate press in B.C. Dedicated to inform, entertain and advocate for the people of B.C., it is an independent publication, promising free and open debate on all issues, a voice for people throughout B.C.

The Breaker - the Breaker is your source for news, opinion and analysis about British Columbia issues and institutions. It is a vehicle to stop secrecy, unravel the spin and enable citizens to better scrutinize those who hold power and influence on the west coast of Canada and beyond.

The Discourse - The Discourse is a digital news media company based in Vancouver B.C. We provide community-powered journalism to underserved communities. We currently operate digital media serving the Cowichan Valley, southern Alberta, Francophone Quebec and Indigenous communities in the Okanagan Valley and Vancouver Island.

Education Matters British Columbia - in-depth journalism about BC education that puts the wellbeing of children first.

Hakai Magazine - Hakai Magazine explores science, society, and the environment from a coastal perspective.

Indiginews - At IndigiNews we’re committed to listening to the communities we serve and making sure their stories are heard, understood and respected.

The Orca - A new independent multimedia publication for B.C. politics, business, and history. Our focus is on public policy, issues, and ideas that affect the B.C. economy, investment, jobs and long-term prosperity and opportunities for everyday British Columbians. 

The Tyee - We’re an independent, online news magazine from B.C. founded in 2003.

LOWER MAINLAND & METRO VANCOUVER

Burnaby Beacon - The spaces, faces, & community stories that matter to Burnaby.

Capital Daily- In-depth reporting and long-form journalism from Victoria

Fraser Valley Current - Plug in to the news that matters in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, and the rest of the Fraser Valley.

Tri-Cities Dispatch - The Tri-Cities Dispatch is a local media non-profit covering the Tri-Cities area of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. Our mission is to provide residents of the Tri-Cities area with the news and information they need to stay in touch with their community, along with quality original reporting and journalism.

Vancouver Tech Journal - We uncover and tell the stories that matter in Vancouver's tech ecosystem. Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter.

STUDENT MEDIA - SECONDARY & POST SECONDARY

Yes, we're including student media. Why? Because by virtue of reading this article you've proven why student media is important.

The secondary publications list is not complete, and only contains outlets confirmed to be active. Send an email to add to the list!

SECONDARY

Avolution Magazine - Lord Byng Secondary

The Bruin Bulletin - Britannia Secondary

The Daily Wale - Prince of Wales Secondary - (just launched 2021)

The Griffins’ Nest - Eric Hamber Secondary

Point Grey Journal - Point Grey Secondary

The Tupper Times - Sir Charles Tupper Secondary

DT Journalism Club - David Thompson Secondary

Van Tech Newspaper - Vancouver Technical Secondary

WEST VANCOUVER

Rockridge Post - Rockridge Secondary

The Sun Sentinel - Sentinel Secondary

SURREY

The Maritimes - Earl Marriott Secondary 

Hawk Word - Fraser Heights Secondary

RICHMOND

SLSS Press - Stevenson London Secondary

Strikers News - McRoberts Secondary

COQUITLAM

The Eddy - Riverside Secondary

The Edge - Glendale Secondary

NEW WESTMINSTER

NDUB Student Press - New Westminster Secondary

ABBOTSFORD

Hurricane Alert - Rick Hansen Secondary

BURNABY

PRINTS Newspaper - Burnaby Mountain Secondary

Central Paws - Burnaby Central Secondary

DELTA

The Griffins Gazette - Burnsview Secondary

POST SECONDARY

The Ubyssey - (UBC) - The Ubyssey is the definitive source of news on campus. Published every Tuesday during the school year, it is the largest student paper in Western Canada.

The Peak - Simon Fraser University's independent student newspaper since 1965.

The Omega - Thompson Rivers University's independent student newspaper and news website, is a free publication written by TRU students for the TRU campus community of students, faculty and staff.

The Capilano Courier - Capilano University’s number one campus newspaper. In fact, we’re the only one, so we’re taking the cake by default. Established in 1968, the Courier is published weekly by the Capilano Courier Publishing Society, an independent non-profit society. The Courier is led by both students and alumni, and is funded by student fees and the occasional advertising.

The Runner - The Runner is student owned and operated by Kwantlen Polytechnic University students, published under Polytechnic Ink Publishing Society (PIPS).

The Cascade - The University of Fraser Valley’s autonomous student newspaper and was founded in 1993. We publish fact-based journalism in The Cascade and online at ufvcascade.ca.

Link BCIT & Beyond - the expression of student ideas and culture at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. These are the stories, issues and trends that matter to this community today, and all of our content is produced by students on and off-campus.

The Other Press - Douglas College’s student newspaper since 1976 published weekly during the fall and winter semesters, and monthly during the summer.

The Langara Voice - The Voice newspaper and its digital edition, The Voice Online, are produced by Langara College journalism students as part of their multimedia production courses.

(Disclosure: journalist Sam Smart is one of the two Western Representatives for the Canadian University Press, a post-secondary student journalism collective that endorsed the Student Press Freedom Act, legislation that I drafted with another member of The Nest's Editorial Board, Jessica Kim) 

(I'll also note that for conservative-leaning folks, you may have come across the Post Millennial in your search for independent media, but I excluded it as the publication is known to spread COVID-19 dis/misinformation, and it has been reported that its Editor-at-Large Andy Ngo has connections to far-right militant groups in the United States. The Post Millennial has been accused of propagating Islamophobia, among other forms of hatred, and also falls substantially outside the realm of acceptable reliability when I compared its score to the generally conservative National Post and Toronto Sun on the Ad Fontes Interactive Media Bias Chart ©. In short, it fails our vetting process.

Similarly, I also excluded the True North after determining its journalism did not meet the bar for reliability, finding its high level of opinion content, the titles of the that content, the publication's clickbait-style visual presentation, and interview-flattery of Ezra Levant, are consistent with news sources popular in far-right conspiratorial circles in the United States. For these reasons, I deem the True North a disreputable publication, alongside the Post Millennial.)