Let’s be honest: most national media today does nothing for your soul, your mental health, your intellect or your bank account. And yes, I’m definitely including CBC News in this statement. Mainstream media is generally alarmist, biased and agendist—and does little to build your community, your country or your well-being. Do you really benefit from learning about the latest COVID scaremongering, or some immature back-and-forth in the House of Commons? It’s just noise. (And don’t get me started about the absurdity of the fact that Canada’s largest media company is funded by the government—competing with independent media whose budgets are a fraction of the size—and the damage that does to democracy here.)
Notice how you feel after watching Big News—generally fearful, hopeless, helpless and compliant, right? Maybe a little angry? Local media, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. It’s positive and leaves you inspired, proud, empowered. It celebrates local entrepreneurs, volunteers, community leaders, youth, the local music scene, and the middle class—the backbone of our economy and the cornerstone of our quality of life. Here at On The Bay, we are believers in these values of local news. We use a team-driven approach funded and inspired by the owner of this publication, the fierce independent media pioneer and maverick Moses Znaimer, CEO of ZoomerMedia, who continually invests generously in our media operations here in Southern Georgian Bay.
Moses divides his time between our region and Toronto, and he’s a big believer in this community. So much so that he’s invested in a local TV channel/streaming app focused on our region—Bay Watch (available on any app store and at baywatch.ca), now playing on screens in establishments and homes everywhere. Bay Watch is curated and produced by On The Bay’s very own chief of content, Roger Klein, who has built an exceptional career sharing local stories. Bay Watch is the video equivalent of On The Bay; it’s where you will learn about community initiatives, important local environmental concerns and politics—relevant information that enhances your quality of life. We are committed to it, and that’s good news.
David Loopstra
Publisher, On The Bay
