Premier Doug Ford’s office is considering a dramatic overhaul of its controversial Ontario News Now promotional video service, the Star has learned.Criticized by those on the right and left of the political spectrum as taxpayer-funded “propaganda,” ONN produces videos boosting the Progressive Conservative government that are designed to look like legitimate TV news packages.But Conservative sources confide that few people are tuning in.“They’re too long. No one is watching (one minute and 30 second) packs on social (media),” a senior Tory official, speaking confidentially in order to freely discuss internal deliberations, told the Star.“We’re reviewing all our communications strategies,” another insider confirmed Wednesday.Ford’s government may not pull the plug altogether, but sources say the videos will be radically altered so they can no longer be accused of broadcasting “fake news.”ONN has about 10,500 followers on its Twitter feed — fewer even than many of the Queen’s Park Press Gallery reporters covering Ford for mainstream media outlets and well behind the premier’s 136,000 followers.While Ford’s ex-chief of staff, Dean French, who resigned in June after a cronyism scandal, was a big believer in the videos, some other Conservatives are not fans.Several cabinet ministers have privately admitted to resenting being forced to do interviews for the spots, which they deemed a waste of their time, their credibility, and the government’s resources.Tory MPPs have also said some constituents question the value of the much-mocked but seldom-viewed videos.Ford’s office declined to comment on ONN’s future delivering newslike stories, instead likening its output to “a video press release or a digital householder.”“All recognized parties at the legislature have a caucus budget which is used to communicate with constituents. Ontario News Now ...
|
