The Concerned Children’s Advertisers (CCA), a non-profit group funded by 16 member companies that market and advertise products and services to children and families, has begun a new media literacy campaign in which they encourage children to think critically about the messages they receive from the media.

There is no doubt that social media has become an important element of journalism today. It encourages instantaneous communication between news outlets and the public and is now considered one of many vital news-gathering and news-delivery tools.

Since the unveiling of the Apple iPad last week, those in traditional media industries have begun to question the hype surrounding the device. Until the public demonstration by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, it had been touted as the saviour of print products, and an innovative video platform that would transform the way Internet users consume web content.

CNA and CCNA have created a fact sheet that provides an overview of outdoor advertising. It lists the strengths and weaknesses of the medium and also highlights how newspapers can be used in conjunction with outdoor to provide reminders to consumers, to launch new products or information or to boost consumer response.

A brief case study on Frito Lay, which had used both media creatively to deliver a message about solar power is also provided.

The Ontario Press Council is asking its member newspapers who are not already running a small blurb about the press council in their paper at least once per week to please do so. Members are also encouraged to place the blurb on their websites. The Press Council is also requesting that members occasionally run a complimentary filler ad which you can find in the Members area of our website (under OCNA Documents & Reports > Ontario Press Council Releases).

Michael Howie of Oakville Today submitted a couple of front pages to Ed Henninger for comment on his blog. Howie explained that the Oakville paper had recently changed the size of its header, and was looking for suggestions on further improvements for the front page, while still taking into account a number of ads that could not be moved from the left-hand side of the page.

April 1, 2010 is the official launch date of the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Canada Periodical Fund (CPF). On that date it will replace the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) and the Canada Magazine Fund.

For those publishers currently in the PAP who have questions about applying to the new program, the Canadian Community Newspapers Association has compiled a number of questions they asked CPF director Scott Shortliffe on its News on News website, along with his answers.

After 15 years, the Ipsos Canadian Inter@ctive Reid Report is the longest running and most comprehensive study on Canadians and the Internet. The quarterly syndicated study monitors and provides up-to-date information on people’s behaviours and attitudes online.

As of January 2011, visitors to the New York Times website (nytimes.com) will only be allowed to view a limited number of articles for free in a given month. To read more, a flat fee must be paid, but will grant unlimited access.