National Post dumps rural papers
Commenting on reports that the National Post is eliminating paper delivery to 156 rural communities in British Columbia and Alberta, SFU communication expert Richard Smith says: “They’re likely adopting a digital-first strategy. The National Post is staying mum about the move but I suspect it’s going the route of the Atlantic Monthly back east, which is now just called The Atlantic. The monthly magazine is reporting profitability for the first time in 20 years since giving top priority to putting out minute-by-minute, hourly and daily digital publication, all the while maintaining a monthly hardcopy magazine publication.”

Richard Smith, 604.653.6073 (cell), richard_smith@gnwc.ca

Latest salvo in marijuana debate
Two SFU members of Stop the Violence BC are available to discuss the organization’s latest salvo in its war on the federal government’s refusal to consider marijuana law reform, as recommended by the group. The organization is a new coalition of B.C. health, academic and law enforcement experts calling for the legalization and regulation of pot. Criminologist Neil Boyd and health scientist Donald MacPherson can discuss the group’s release of a new report. It audits government funded surveillance systems and concludes that increased funding for anti-marijuana law enforcement doesn’t meet its objectives of decreasing marijuana supply, potency or cannabis use.

Neil Boyd, available as of tomorrow (Dec. 23), 604.947.9569, nboyd@sfu.ca
Donald MacPherson, unavailable from 1-2 pm; 3-4 pm today, otherwise available, 778.938.4404, donald_macpherson@sfu.ca