Councillors in Kelowna, B.C., say they don’t have to read between the lines to figure out that fewer people are turning to newspaper ads.
So, they have voted seven to two in favour of a motion requiring the two local Kelowna newspapers to bid for the city’s print advertising contract.
The lowest bidder will win the right to run Kelowna’s legally required ads–announcing public meetings, rezonings and other business.
Council estimates cutting print ads from two newspapers to one, and forcing the papers to compete for the contract, could save the city about $30,000 annually.
Councillor Luke Stack said it’s a modern, practical approach because many people have given up newspapers in favour of online, radio or television sources of news and advertising.
He said his friends, colleagues and children no longer read newspapers the way he does.
