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TH E O NTA R I O N .CO M
PRINT NEWSPAPERS MAY BE DISAPPEARING, BUT THE ONTARION IS HERE TO STAY The Ontarion started as a small student newspaper in 1951 and grew into an independent, nonprofit news organization. Since incorporating as a not-for-profit corporation in 1970, our business model has been simple: Our operations are funded by revenue from advertising sales and democratically determined undergraduate student fees. And, when possible, we added to strategic reserves intended for rainy days. Those days are here. For a while, our “niche status” as a student newspaper sheltered us from the industry-wide decline in advertising revenue that’s pummeled the print news industry in recent decades. Gradually, that shelter disappeared. As our readers became accustomed to accessing an ever-widening digital space with ease, our journalism had to compete with all the information in that space, information with varying degrees of value and accuracy. A few years ago, we saw that we needed to change how we do things at a fundamental level if we want to continue serving this community. While we continued to produce weekly newspapers (and the journalism and advertising that filled them), we also made a plan: Ontarion 2020, which refers to a long-term strategy that will ready The Ontarion for the future. As we approach 2020, you’ll start seeing some big changes, including: • Monthly print issues, where we focus on Slow Journalism, a form of journalism that takes time to create because it digs into issues in ways a weekly newspaper doesn’t have time to do. • Daily digital content, which leverages the characteristics of the medium to include timely breaking news as well as long-tail news, which allows for more coverage of specialized topics rather than fewer general topics that must relate to as much of our readership as possible. • Developing a training program for our contributors, most of whom are unpaid volunteers and all of whom love this community and want to serve it better. • Continuing and growing participation in U of G’s Experiential Learning programs, which align with our belief that one of the best ways to learn is by doing. • Exploring alternative revenue streams without compromising our independence or our community’s trust in our journalism. After we developed our vision for The Ontarion’s future, the Ontario government revealed a plan of their own: the Student Choice Initiative (SCI). Personally, we think university students already made their choice in democratic referendums over a long period of time. The SCI endangers The Ontarion’s student fees, which threatens our plans for the future, but more importantly threatens freedom of the press. Now is the time to make sure that organizations that can hold people in power to account have the resources they need to continue. This September and in the years to come, we ask that students opt to pay their student fees and support The Ontarion, so we can make sure your voices continue to be heard by those who are trying to silence you. Whether you love or hate The Ontarion, it is your campus newspaper. This means that you are welcome to get involved in shaping its future. Write the articles you want to read. Pitch the stories that you think matter. Sit on our Board of Directors. Make sure your voice is heard. Be a part of something big as it gets bigger.
THE ONTARION IS HIRING Over the next few months, The Ontarion will be hiring nine positions, including: full time, part time, and work study. For up to date hiring information visit: www.theontarion.com/jobs. Taking too many classes to work during the school year? No problem! Email Aaron Jacklin at ajacklin@theontarion.com for information on how you can volunteer with The Ontarion to build your portfolio and your resume. No previous experience required. No minimum level of commitment. You choose your level of participation.