Global Media and Internet Concentration Project (SSHRC Partnership Grant)

 

The Global Media and Internet Concentration (GMIC) Project was launched in 2021 after winning a $2.5 million grant from the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. The project brings together fifty or so scholars from around the world to address a deceptively simple but profoundly important question: have the communication, Internet and media industries—individually and collectively—become more or less concentrated over the period covered by this study, i.e. 1984-2027? We use this question, in turn, as a springboard to a far-reaching, yet clearly-bounded and richly detailed analysis of some two dozen sectors of the communications, Internet and media industries in the nearly 40 countries we cover.

 

The project’s scope covers both the traditional communications and media industries as well as the rise of new actors like the digital platforms (e.g. Google, Apple, Amazon, Baidu, Bytedance, Facebook, Microsoft, Netlfix, Tencent, etc.)  A dozen external partners also serve as advisors and contributors to the project, including, for example, the Department of Canadian Heritage, UNESCO, Statistics Canada, the Internet Society, OBSERVACOM, and the International Institute of Communication, amongst others.

 

The GMIC Project website was recently launched. While still in its early stages, our intention is for the site to be a wide-ranging and authoritative resource for students and scholars, policymakers, activists journalists, and anyone else interested in media market data. This website picks up where the one for a earlier iteration of this project, the Canadian Media Concentration Research Project, left off. Last year’s (2021) 10^th anniversary editions of two-part annual series of reports for that project marked the start of this new initiative. Those reports are now available on the new GMIC Project website. Other country reports and data will be available soon.

 

This research will inform independent academic research and policy developments, especially in relation to the fast evolving, new generation of Internet services regulation now taking shape in Canada and around the world.

Books

2007 Winseck, D. & Pike, R. Communication and Empire: Media Power and Globalization, 1860-1930. Durnham, N.C.: Duke Univ. Press. (Winner of the Canadian Communication Association’s G. J. Robinson book of the year award)

1998 ReConvergence: A political economy of telecommunications in Canada. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton.

Edited Volumes

2012 Winseck, D. & Jin, D. Y. (eds.). Political Economies of Media: the Transformation of the Global Media Industries. London: Bloomsbury.

1997 Bailie, M. & Winseck, D. (eds.). Democratizing communication?: Comparative perspectives on information and power. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton.

1997 Sreberny-Mohammadi, A., Winseck, D., McKenna, J. & Boyd-Barrett, O.

(eds.). Media in Global Context. London, UK: Edward Arnold.

Selected Peer Reviewed Articles & Book Chapters

2022 Winseck, D. & Bester, K. (2022/forthcoming). Regulation for a More Democratic Internet: Lessons from 19^th & 20^th Centuries Antitrust and Communications Regulation. In T. Flew, J. Thomas & J. Holt (eds.). Sage Handbook of the Digital Media Economy. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

2022 Winseck, D. (2022/forthcoming). The Broken Internet and Platform Regulation: Promises and Perils. In T. Flew, F. Martin & R. Gillett (eds.). Digital Platform Regulation: Global Perspectives on Internet Governance. London, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

2022 Winseck D. (2022/forthcoming). Curran & Seaton’s Power without Responsibility: Legacy and lessons. In M. Klontzas (ed.). James Curran & Jean Seaton’s Power without Responsibility: Critical Reflections. London: Routledge.

2020 “Vampire Squids”, the Broken Internet and Platform Regulation. Journal of Digital Media and Policy, 11(3), 241-282.

2020 Schafer, V., Fickers, A., Howarth, D., Musiani, F., Pohle, J. & Winseck, D. (2020) The internet and the European market from a multidisciplinary perspective: a “round-doc” discussion, Internet Histories, DOI: 10.1080/24701475.2020.173960.

2019 Wilkinson, S. & Winseck, D. Whither Journalism? Crisis or Wrenching Change in Journalistic Work in Canada? Canadian Journal of Communication (forthcoming) (author split 70/30).

2018 Fitzgerald, S. & Winseck, D. Media Economics: Missed Opportunities, Mischaracterizations, Review Essay on Stuart Cunningham, Terry Flew and Adam Swift’s (2015) Media Economics (Palgrave: London). The Political Economy of Communication, 6(1), 83-97.

2018 Jia, LR & Winseck, D. The political economy of Chinese internet companies: Financialization, concentration and capitalization. The International Communication Gazette, 80(1), 30-59.

2017 Winseck, D. & Pooley, J. A Curious Tale of Economics and Common

Carriage (Net Neutrality) at the FCC: A Reply to Faulhaber, Singer, and Urschel. International Journal of Communication, 11, 2702-2733.

2017 The Geopolitical Economy of the Global Internet Infrastructure. Journal of Information Policy, 7, 228-267.

2016 Reconstructing the Political Economy of Communication for the Digital Media Age. The Political Economy of Communication, 4(2), 73-114.

2011 Submarine Telegraphs, Telegraph News, and the Global Financial Crisis of 1873. Journal of Cultural Economy: Special Issue on Financial Crises edited by M. Poovey, 5(2), 197-212.

2010 Winseck, D. Financialization and the “Crisis of the Media”: The Rise and Fall of (Some) Media Conglomerates in Canada. Canadian Journal of Communication, 35(3), 1-28.

2009 Winseck, D. & Pike, R. The Global Media and the Empire of Liberal Internationalism, circa 1910-1930. Media History, 2009, 15(1), 31-54. (70/30 contribution)

2008 Information Operations ‘Blowback’: Communication, Propaganda and Surveillance in the Global War on Terrorism. International CommunicationGazette, 70(6), 419-441.

2008 Media Ownership and the Consolidation of Media Markets. Sociology Compass, 2(1), 34-47.

2002 Illusions of perfect information and fantasies of control in the information society. New Media and Society, 4(1), 89-118.

2002 Netscapes of power: Convergence, consolidation and power in the Canadian mediascape. Media, Culture & Society, 24(6), 795-819.

2021 The Global Media and Internet Concentration Project. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Partnership Grant ($2,500,000).

2017 Faculty Graduate Mentoring Award, Faculty of Public Affairs, Carleton University.

2015 Nominated for Capital Educators Award

2014 Public Commentary Award, Faculty of Public Affairs, Carleton University.

2012 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Grant for “Canadian Media Concentration Research Project” ($234,523).

2000 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council for the project: Electronic empires and wired worlds: Electronic media and the foundations of globalization, circa 1860-1920 (Co-researcher: Dr. Robert Pike) ($78,500).

Op-eds

Winseck, D. (April 19, 2022). Bad News: Ottawa’s Proposed Online News At Misses the Mark. Centre for International Governance Innovation, CIGIOnline.

Winseck, D. (April 19, 2022). Bad News: Liberal’s Proposed Online News Act Misses the Mark. TVO Today.

Winseck, D. (Feb. 25, 2022). Still Not Dead: Why Legislators Should Kill the Online Streaming Act. Centre for International Governance Innovation, CIGIOnline.

Winseck, D. & Klass, K. (March 19, 2021). Rogers’ bid for Shaw is bad news for competition in several media markets, and should be blocked. Toronto Star.

Winseck, D. (June 6, 2021). Bill C-10 and the Future of Internet Regulation in Canada: Is there a more democratic and accountable alternative? Centre for International Governance Innovation.

Winseck, D. (Feb. 17, 2021). Why Canada should take a critical look at Australia’s internet regulations. National Observer.

Winseck, D. (July 1, 2016). Modular media: A radical communication and cultural policy for Canada. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives: The Monitor.

Winseck, D. & Klass, M. (May 18, 2016). MTS deal would set a harmful precedent for wireless competition. Globe and Mail.

Winseck, D. (April 19, 2016). Guilty pleasures and proper needs: Who gets what kind of Internet, and who decides? Policy Options.

Winseck, Dwayne. On Bell Astral Merger, the CRTC should take its time. Globe & Mail, February 4, 2013.

Winseck, D. (March 28, 2015). At Bell Media, editorial meddling by execs appears to be a recurring problem. Policy Options.

Winseck, Dwayne. Who’s Watching You on the Internet. Huffington Post, October 15, 2012.

 

Audio

Darts and Letters (Nov. 5, 2021). EP39: Three corporations in a trenchcoat (FT: Matt Stoller & Dwayne Winseck).

Jespersen, R. (May 11, 2021). Bill C-10 with Dwayne Winseck (17 min, 21 second mark). Real Talk Ryan Jespersen.

Geist, M. (April 19, 2021). The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 84: Dwayne Winseck and Ben Klass on Canada’s Wireless Woes. Michael Geist LawBytes Podcast.

Hanomansing, I. (March 21, 2021). Cross Country Checkup with Ian Hanomansing: What’s your reaction to the Rogers-Shaw deal? Are you satisfied with the price and speed of your internet and cell phone service? CBC Radio.

George, P. J. (Feb. 25, 2021). Should governments regulate online platforms? The Hindu Parley podcast.

 

Video

Canada, Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU) (April 6, 2021). Study of the Proposed Acquisition of Shaw by Rogers.

CBC (March 15, 2021). Rogers plans to buy Shaw in telecoms shake up (starts @ 2 minute mark).

BNN (April 20, 2017). CRTC rules in favour of net-neutrality.

CTV News (December 22, 2016). CRTC declares broadband internet a basic service.

CBC (August 17, 2012). Interview with Dwayne Winseck on the CBC’s Lang and O’Leary show.

 

Print

Thanthong-Knight, R. & Decloet, D. (April 13, 2022). Rogers keeps rising as Shaw deal nears key antitrust ruling. BNN Bloomberg.

Gilmore, R. (April 5, 2022). Feds to force tech giants like Facebook, Google to pay for news with new bill. Global News.

Patel, R. (March 31, 2022). Canada’s legislation compelling big tech to pay news outlines is on the way. Here’s how we got here. Toronto Star.

Saba, R. (August 14, 2021). Media industry cautiously optimistic the government will soon force digital giants to pay for their content. Toronto Star.

George, P. J. (Feb. 26, 2021). Should governments regulate online platforms? The Hindu.

Corcoran, T. (Feb. 24, 2021). What is the market price for news? The Facebook-Aussie deal is not the answer. National Post.

 

Contributions to Public Policy Proceedings

2021 Winseck, D. & Klass, B. Submission to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology of the House of Commons (Canada) regarding the Competitiveness of the Canadian Economy (April 15, 2021).

Winseck, D. & Klass, B. The Great Reversal: Why the Rogers-Shaw Merger is a Raw Deal and Regulators Should Deny It. Submission to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology of the House of Commons (Canada) regarding the proposed acquisition of Shaw by Rogers (April 2021).

Canada, Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU) (April 6, 2021). Study of the Proposed Acquisition of Shaw by Rogers.

Canada, Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (March 29, 2021). Relations Between Facebook and the Federal Government

2019 Klass, B. & Winseck, D. Competition in Canadian mobile wireless markets: Pricing problems and wholesale solutions. Expert report prepared for the Consumers’ Association of Canada (Manitoba Branch), Winnipeg Harvest and the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg. Submitted to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2019-57, “Notice of hearing—Review of mobile wireless services” (75pp).

2019 Winseck, D. & Klass, B. Submission to the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel. [submission].

Winseck, D. Common Carriage and Cultural Policy for the Internet Age. SenVu live streaming coverage of hearings before the Senate Transportation and Communication Committee’s Review of the Telecommunications, Broadcasting and RadioCommunication Acts. (September 18, 2018).

2018 Klass, B. & Winseck, D. (2018). Poor internet for poor people? Why Canada needs better and more affordable mobile services for everyone. Expert report prepared for the Consumers Association of Canada (Manitoba Branch) and the Public Interest Law Centre in consideration of: Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2018-98, “Call for comments—Lower-cost data-only plans for mobile wireless services” (101pp).

2018 Winseck, D. & Klass, B. Website Blocking, Clogging the Pipes, and Crippling Citizens’ Fundamental Communication Rights. CMCRP Submission in response to the Fairplay Coalition’s application for website blocking. Submitted before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Application 8663-A182-201800467 to disable on-line access to piracy sites (March 29, 2018)(76pp).

2017 Shattered Mirror, Stunted Vision and Squandered Opportunities: A reply to the Public Policy Forum’s The Shattered Mirror: News, Democracy and Trust in the Digital Age. Canadian Media Concentration Research Project. Ottawa: School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University [Report] (February 9, 2017) (28pp).

2016 Klass, B., Winseck, D., Nanni, M. & Mckelvey, F. (2016). There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch: Historical and international perspectives on why common carriage should be a cornerstone of communications policy in the Internet age. CMCR Project’s submission to the CRTC’s Review of Differential Pricing (CRTC 2016-192). Plus responses to interrogatories and oral presentation)(88pp) (author split: 45/45/5/5)

2016 Rethinking Universal Service for the 21st Century and an All-IP World (September 2015) CMCR’s first submission to the CRTC’s Review of Basic Telecommunications Services (CRTC 2015-134). Available at: (Plus responses to interrogatories and oral presentation) (57pp).

2016 Klass, B. & Winseck, D. Why Bell’s Bid to Buy MTS is Bad News. Report submitted to the Competition Bureau assessing Bell Canada Enterprises’ proposed bid to acquire Manitoba Telecommunications Services. Available at (46pp) (author split 50/50)

2013 Expert Witness. Written brief and testimony for the Public Interest Advocacy Centre in the matter of Bell Canada Enterprise’s Second Bid to Purchase Astral Media Hearings before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Montreal, Quebec, May 2013.