According to a recent study by News Media Canada, Canadians want their government to inform them about programs, services, policies and decisions via newspapers. 64% adults prefer to read public notices in daily or weekly newspapers, 49% want TV, 40% want radio, 39% want to be informed via internet search engines, 34% want to find out via direct mail, 18% like to see them on billboards, 27% like social media and 25% don’t mind reading them on magazines.
Two key components are important to public notices: informing the public of the change and providing access to the information relating to the news. Online notices are only effective only if people know specifically where to look. When these notices are printed in national and community newspapers, the reach and impact are far greater.
Further, the study found that 4 in 10 adults distrust the information they find online through social media, online banners or mobile ads. More than half trust the ad contents printed in newspapers. The government has a responsibility to inform all of it citizens regarding public policies but 1 in 5 adult Canadians are not using social media, and when they do, they mostly use it to share photos and interact with friends and families, not to gather real crucial public information.
Newspapers are still the most effective way for government to disseminate public notices.
