In an age where the media shapes people’s social, political, and cultural thoughts and behaviours, it is imperative to lend a voice to the issues that matter most. With thousands of magazines and newspapers printed globally, everything we read can affect our thoughts and actions. Nevertheless, have you ever wondered where Black media stands in Canada?
For many years, Black media has been underrepresented globally. Sometimes, people want to hear about the suffering, injustice, and inequality that affects people in marginalized communities, but they rarely peek into the rich cultural scene of such communities.
The History of Black Media in Canada
In the early 1950s, when Canadians were still recovering from the vestiges of slavery, two Black-owned newspapers were making the rounds in southwestern Ontario. Both The Voice of the Fugitive and the Provincial Freeman left an indelible mark on the communities they served. Many people at the time did not think it was worth asking Black people to share their thoughts, ideas, and urgent life and death stories. However, that didn’t stop powerful women like Mary Ann Shadd Cary from continuing her quest to publish the first Black newspaper, The Provincial Freeman.
As time passed, Canada opened its doors to more immigrants. However, that had little or no impact on the number of Black journalists in its major newspapers and magazines. Slowly but surely, other renowned newspapers like Contrast gained traction. Harold Hoyte became the first Black editor of the newspaper. Hoyte had a strong background in journalism. Before becoming the editor of Contrast, he worked as a writer for the Barbados Advocate; he then relocated to Toronto and worked with the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Telegram before becoming the editor of Contrast.
Canada’s Current Media Scene
After the election of America’s first Black President, more newspapers and magazines were prone to hiring Black people. As more media gatekeepers opened their doors to Black reporters, editors, and writers, Black voices started to be heard loud and clear, both in print and digitally.
Soon, major Canadian news outlets like the CBC allowed Black journalists to take the helm. Names like Dwight Drummond, who anchors CBC News at Six in Toronto, Tamika Forrester, Omayra Issa, and Nana Aba Duncan all became recognizable personalities.
Print had its own reckoning, too. In the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, newspapers hired a few notable Black journalists who became recognizable names. Canada’s largest newspaper, The Toronto Star, had a fair share in hiring Black journalists like Royson James, Ashante Infantry, Morgan Campbell, and Vincent Donovan, among many others.
Gradually, radio and magazines also picked up the pace. Share, for example, was a newspaper of record serving the African-Caribbean community, along with 98.7 FM radio and the renowned magazine ByBlacks.com, which has a strong digital presence. Roger and Camille Dundas said that strengthening Black representation in Canada was one of the main motivating factors in starting the magazine ByBlacks.com.
After launching the magazine in 2013, the Dundases noticed that their readers wanted more of their stories. The magazine covers various topics, from business profiles to music reviews and opinion pieces. Gradually, as readership levels rose, more advertisers wanted to advertise in it to reach Black audiences.
Canada’s media scene is substantial, with a large and diverse range of outlets. Yet, there is still room for more stories that matter by Black Canadians. Such stories foster inclusion, challenge stereotypes, promote empathy, and inspire social change!
David Messiha| Staff Writer