Dear rabble readers,
On Tuesday last week, rabble.ca launched our winter fundraising campaign. We’re so grateful to everyone who has already chosen to support us this December.
In our message to our audience last week, we mentioned the idea of “media democracy.” Today, I wanted to break down exactly what that means for rabble.ca and how you fit into it.
What is media democracy?
Media democracy refers to the idea that media, particularly journalism, should serve the public interest, promote democratic values, and be accessible to everyone. It emphasizes the role of the media in providing readers with the information they need to make informed decisions, participate in civic life, and hold those in power accountable.
In a media democracy, diverse voices and viewpoints are represented. In a media democracy, news is seen as a tool for promoting transparency, social justice, and public engagement.
Sound familiar?
If you’re a reader of rabble.ca, it should!
Media democracy is the foundation on which rabble was created. We continue to champion that value in our work today.
We believe in accessible news
Our commitment to the idea of free and accessible news is why we’ve never operated behind a paywall or subscription fee; it would only limit access to our news and views from readers who rely on us across the country, accelerating the digital divide we see happening in corporate media.
News is becoming less and less accessible in Canada.
It’s been about a year and a half and Meta still refuses to operate within the constructs of Bill C-18. With Canadian news banned on Facebook and Instagram – and with more and more people leaving Twitter/X since the takeover of Elon Musk – rabble.ca and all other news media in Canada have needed to renegotiate our place on social media and find new ways of reaching our audience.
When news is restricted – whether behind a paywall or all-out ban across social media – Canadians suffer. People are left without the full picture of the top stories happening around them and are at risk of falling prey to misinformation and adopting harmful ideas about communities and viewpoints they are not yet familiar with.
Together, with your help, we are going to make sure that doesn’t happen at rabble.
Media democracy means supporting indie media
If you believe in media democracy, support indie media like rabble.ca.
Being an independent, not-for-profit news organization, rabble’s focus is on serving the public interest — not our bottom line. This means we’re able to hold powerful institutions, governments and corporations accountable without fear of backlash or financial pressure. Corporate media, however, must often avoid critical reporting on major advertisers and stakeholders, leading to compromised journalism.
As part of rabble’s mandate of “news for the rest of us,” we’re proud to share the stories from diverse voices which are often ignored and underrepresented by corporate media.
And finally, while corporate media often leans into sensationalism and rage-bait, rabble.ca is dedicated to focusing our attention on uncovering corruption, injustice, and systemic issues – and crucially, how to overcome it all.
With the support from you and forward-thinking organizations who believe that the media can do better, we can continue amplifying the stories and voices that Canadians need to hear.
Become a rabble rouser today during our winter fundraiser and support us in our mission to strengthen media democracy in Canada.
With your support, it can be done!
Nick Seebruch, editor
On behalf of the entire rabble team
Support rabble today!
We’re so glad you stopped by! Thanks for consuming rabble content this year.
rabble.ca is 100% reader and donor funded, so as an avid reader of our content, we hope you will consider gifting rabble with a donation during our summer fundraiser today.
Whether it be a one-time donation or a small monthly contribution, your support is critical to keep rabble writers producing the work you’ve come to rely on as a part of a healthy media diet.
Become a rabble rouser — donate to rabble.ca today.
Nick Seebruch, editor
