Media Industry News

OTTAWA — The Liberal government is proposing "draconian penalties" in the Criminal Code as part of its sweeping plan to target online hate, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association warns.

OTTAWA — The federal Conservatives would rather take a tough-on-crime approach to online safety issues affecting young people than support the Liberal government's plan to regulate them, says leader Pierre Poilievre.

The mothers of two Canadian teens who died by suicide after they were targeted by online tormentors urged parliamentarians to pass new legislation introduced Monday to protect kids on the internet.

Google said Thursday it is temporarily stopping its Gemini artificial intelligence chatbot from generating images of people a day after apologizing for “inaccuracies” in historical depictions that it was creating.

MONTREAL — Quebecor Inc. raised its quarterly dividend as it reported its fourth-quarter profit and revenue rose compared with a year ago. The company says it will pay a quarterly dividend of 32.5 cents per share, up from 30 cents.

TORONTO — ZoomerMedia Ltd. has announced the acquisition of Curiocity Group Inc. as it seeks to bolster its digital presence in Canada.

FREDERICTON — Parent and teacher groups in New Brunswick welcomed the child and youth advocate's recent suggestion that the province ban cellphones from schools because of their effect on students' mental health and ability to concentrate.

ST. JOHN'S, N.L.

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A Newfoundland folk musician says the company behind the “derogatory” use of a cherished Newfoundland and Labrador song in an advertisement that played during Sunday's Super Bowl broadcast should apologize to the province.

OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is rejecting the idea that his party played a role in granting $40 million in regulatory relief to Bell Media.