Community media denounce their exclusion from Quebec’s budget

Community media denounce their exclusion from Quebec’s budget

The main associations of community media in Quebec are denouncing their absence from the 2026 provincial budget, stating that the government is missing an important opportunity to support local news.

In a joint statement, the Association des médias écrits communautaires du Québec, the Association des radiodiffuseurs communautaires du Québec, and the Fédération des télévisions communautaires autonomes du Québec say they are “disappointed” to note that no new measures target their sector.

The 2026 budget provides $567 million for the Ministry of Culture and Communications, half of which is allocated to renewing existing programs. According to the organizations, none of the new investments benefit community media. They also point out that the tax credits granted to private media do not apply to their reality as non-profit organizations.

The three associations emphasize that community media play an essential role in delivering reliable local news and fostering civic engagement. They warn that their sustainability is fragile, often relying on the commitment of volunteers.

To address the situation, they propose increasing the share of government advertising investments allocated to them from 4% to 12%. They also call for a review of the Programme d’aide au fonctionnement pour les médias communautaires (PAMEC), whose funding levels are considered insufficient and outdated.

In the context of a decline in private media, the organizations believe that increased support for community media is necessary to preserve access to regional news and strengthen democratic vitality in Quebec.