National Newspaper Week Asks Canadians Who Is Really Behind the News

2026 campaign reminds Canadians that credible journalism starts with real people.

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Meet Al Gorithm. He looks like a person. He sounds like a person. But he isn’t a journalist.

Al is the face of this year’s National Newspaper Week campaign, running October 4–10 across Canada. This fictional character was created to make a simple point: as AI-generated content becomes more human-looking and human-sounding, it can be harder to tell whether a person is actually behind the information we see.

The campaign presents Al as a real person to encourage Canadians to look more closely at who, or what, is behind the news and information they see.

“Al Gorithm looks like a real person for a reason,” said Kelly Levson, Director of Marketing and Research, News Media Canada. “We want people to stop and ask: Who reported this? Who checked it? And who is accountable for it?”

That distinction matters: 78% of Canadians are concerned about fake news and disinformation.

“Technology can generate copy in seconds, but journalism is about more than producing words on a page. The human work is what gives credible journalism its value,” said Paul Deegan, President and CEO, News Media Canada.

Every day, journalists across Canada attend council meetings, cover local events, talk to residents and business owners and follow stories as they develop. Much of that work happens long before a story is published.

The recently released 2026 Canadian Community Newsmedia Awards (CCNAwards) put that work on display. The winning reporting, photography and storytelling reflect the kind of locally rooted journalism that keeps readers informed, connected and engaged with their communities.

Newspapers continue to connect with a broad audience. News Media Canada’s Newspapers 24/7: 2026 research found that 83% of Canadians read newspaper content each week, in traditional or online formats.

Canadians can support local journalism by reading their local newspaper in print or online, subscribing where possible, sharing trusted reporting and supporting businesses that advertise in local media.

National Newspaper Week runs October 4–10, 2026, and in Canada recognizes the journalists and newspapers that keep communities informed, connected and engaged. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.

For more information, visit nationalnewspaperweek.ca.

About News Media Canada

News Media Canada is the voice of the print and digital news media industry in Canada and represents hundreds of trusted titles in every province and territory.