{{Short description|Canadian media company}} {{Use Canadian English|date=March 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox company | name = Overstory Media Group | logo = Overstory Media Group logo.svg | logo_caption = | logo_upright = <!-- default: 1 --> | logo_alt = | type = Private | industry = Mass media | founded = {{Start year and age|2021}} | founders = {{hlist|Farhan Mohamed|Andrew Wilkinson}} | defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | fate = | hq_location_city = Victoria, British Columbia | hq_location_country = Canada | areas_served = {{hlist|British Columbia|Alberta|Nova Scotia}} | key_people = Glen Clark (CEO) | products = | owner = | num_employees = | num_employees_year = | website = {{official URL}} }}
'''Overstory Media Group''' ('''OMG''') is a Canadian media company based in Victoria, British Columbia. Established in 2021, the company owns 12 publications across three provinces, including ''The Coast'' and ''The Georgia Straight''. Launching with plans to establish 50 new outlets and hire 250 new journalists, the company's workforce has instead decreased significantly, and they have come under scrutiny for alleged union busting. Editorial staff at Overstory Media Group's publications are expected to integrate artificial intelligence tools into their work.
==History== Overstory Media Group was established in 2021 by Farhan Mohamed and Andrew Wilkinson.<ref name="thewalrus">{{cite news |last=Bousquet |first=Tim |date=15 July 2025 |title=Inside the Tech Takeover That Hollowed Out a Beloved Halifax Alt Weekly |url=https://thewalrus.ca/inside-the-tech-takeover-that-hollowed-out-a-beloved-halifax-alt-weekly/ |work=The Walrus |location=Toronto |issn=1708-4032 |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205200956/https://thewalrus.ca/inside-the-tech-takeover-that-hollowed-out-a-beloved-halifax-alt-weekly/ |archive-date=5 December 2025}}</ref> Mohamed began his career in publishing in 2012 at the ''Vancity Buzz'', a Vancouver-based blog, becoming its managing editor in 2014.<ref name="thewalrus"/> Wilkinson, a multi-millionaire tech entrepreneur, established the Victoria-based newsletter ''Capital Daily'' in 2019. It quickly grew to a readership of 40,000 within its first year, laying the groundwork for the launch of OMG.<ref name="cecco">{{cite news |last=Cecco |first=Leyland |date=3 May 2021 |title=Fifty new outlets, 250 journalists: Canadian startup unveils plan to revive local news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/03/local-media-can-survive-the-canadian-team-building-a-future-for-community-news |work=The Guardian |issn=1756-3224 |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250824124515/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/03/local-media-can-survive-the-canadian-team-building-a-future-for-community-news |archive-date=24 August 2025}}</ref> Starting with ten outlets in British Columbia and Alberta, the company announced plans to establish 50 new outlets and employ 250 more journalists by 2023.<ref name="cecco"/><ref name="thewalrus"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Rockel |first=Nick |date=4 May 2021 |title=OMG! A Canadian news organization plans to hire hundreds of journalists |url=https://bcbusiness.ca/business/general/omg-a-canadian-news-organization-plans-to-hire-hundreds-of-journalists/ |work=BC Business |location=Burnaby, B.C. |publisher=Canada Wide Media |issn=0829-481X |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260331194310/https://bcbusiness.ca/business/general/omg-a-canadian-news-organization-plans-to-hire-hundreds-of-journalists/ |archive-date=31 March 2026}}</ref>
In April 2022, OMG acquired ''The Coast'', a Halifax-based weekly.<ref name="inniss">{{cite news |last=Inniss |first=Adam |date=20 April 2022 |title=Halifax weekly the Coast bought by B.C.-based media company |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/coast-halifax-overstory-media-group-business-1.6424687 |work=CBC News |location=Nova Scotia |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812182136/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/coast-halifax-overstory-media-group-business-1.6424687 |archive-date=12 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="woodford">{{cite news |last=Woodford |first=Zane |date=20 April 2022 |title=The Coast sold to B.C.-based media group |url=https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/journalism/the-coast-sold-to-b-c-based-media-group/ |work=Halifax Examiner |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708210759/https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/journalism/the-coast-sold-to-b-c-based-media-group/ |archive-date=8 July 2024}}</ref> Later that year, the company acquired ''The Georgia Straight'', a Vancouver-based weekly.<ref name="caddell">{{cite news |last=Caddell |first=Nathan |date=27 September 2022 |title=Overstory Media Group announces purchase of the Georgia Straight |url=https://bcbusiness.ca/business/general/breaking-overstory-media-group-announces-purchase-of-the-georgia-straight/ |work=BC Business |location=Burnaby, B.C. |publisher=Canada Wide Media |issn=0829-481X |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260331194612/https://bcbusiness.ca/business/general/breaking-overstory-media-group-announces-purchase-of-the-georgia-straight/ |archive-date=31 March 2026}}</ref><ref name="korstrom">{{cite news |last=Korstrom |first=Glen |date=27 September 2022 |title=Overstory Media buys Georgia Straight |url=https://www.biv.com/news/entertainment-media-sports/overstory-media-buys-georgia-straight-8269108 |work=Business in Vancouver |publisher=Glacier Media |issn=0849-5017 |access-date=31 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kolm |first=Josh |date=28 September 2022 |title=Overstory Media Group acquires Georgia Straight |url=https://mediaincanada.com/2022/09/28/overstory-media-group-acquires-georgia-straight/ |work=Media in Canada |publisher=Brunico Communications |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013052239/https://mediaincanada.com/2022/09/28/overstory-media-group-acquires-georgia-straight/ |archive-date=13 October 2022}}</ref> The previous owner of ''The Georgia Straight'', Media Central Corporation Inc., declared bankruptcy in March 2022. Roughly a dozen employees of the newspaper were fired as OMG assumed ownership.<ref>{{cite news |last=Vescera |first=Zak |date=19 October 2022 |title=Dumped and Unpaid at the Georgia Straight |url=https://thetyee.ca/News/2022/10/19/Dumped-Unpaid-Georgia-Straight/ |work=The Tyee |location=Vancouver, B.C. |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250915002648/https://thetyee.ca/News/2022/10/19/Dumped-Unpaid-Georgia-Straight/ |archive-date=15 September 2025}}</ref>
In December 2022, OMG laid off three journalists: one at ''The Coast'' and two at ''Capital Daily''.<ref name="thewalrus"/> More layoffs followed in January 2023, when the company fired four of the remaining seven journalists at ''Capital Daily'', including the managing editor, Jimmy Thomson. The editorial staff of ''Capital Daily'' was thus reduced by half.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leedham |first=Emily |date=2 February 2023 |title=A Media Start-Up Claimed It Was the Future of Local News in Canada. Now It's Firing Journalists. |url=https://pressprogress.ca/a-media-start-up-claimed-it-was-the-future-of-local-news-in-canada-now-its-firing-journalists/ |work=PressProgress |location=Ottawa |publisher=Broadbent Institute |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623150049/https://pressprogress.ca/a-media-start-up-claimed-it-was-the-future-of-local-news-in-canada-now-its-firing-journalists/ |archive-date=23 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Cox |first=Ethan |date=3 February 2023 |title=Thriving local news outlet gutted after owner fires half the staff during union drive |url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/02/03/news/capital-daily-firings-overstory-media-group |work=Canada's National Observer |location=Vancouver, B.C. |publisher=Observer Media Group |access-date=31 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Vescera |first=Zak |date=3 February 2023 |title=A Bold Experiment in Local Journalism Hits the Rocks |url=https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/02/03/Bold-Experiment-Local-Journalism-Hits-Rocks/ |work=The Tyee |location=Vancouver, B.C. |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728183751/https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/02/03/Bold-Experiment-Local-Journalism-Hits-Rocks/ |archive-date=28 July 2025}}</ref> Three of those journalists were members of a union organizing committee working with CWA Canada to unionize OMG.<ref name="thewalrus"/> The day after they were fired, CWA Canada filed an application with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) for certification of the union, aiming to represent all of the remaining 27 employees of OMG not employed in sales or managerial positions.<ref name="thewalrus"/> Overstory objected to their application, claiming that the company was not subject to federal jurisdiction as a publisher of local newsletters. The same day as the application, OMG solicited the services of the law firm Fasken LLP, described as a "union-busting law firm", with bills totaling over $60,000 across a span of two months.<ref name="thewalrus"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Appel |first=Jeremy |date=12 December 2023 |title=Months after laying off 17 staff, Overstory Media continue to oppose company-wide unionization |url=https://ricochet.media/labour/corporate-misconduct/months-after-laying-off-staff-overstory-media-continue-to-oppose-unionization/ |work=Ricochet Media |location=Vancouver, B.C. |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260212212022/https://ricochet.media/labour/corporate-misconduct/months-after-laying-off-staff-overstory-media-continue-to-oppose-unionization/ |archive-date=12 February 2026}}</ref> On 6 June 2024, CIRB ruled in favour of the company, finding that "Overstory is a written news organization that operates a series of publications in three provinces. Its normal and habitual activities do not involve interprovincial communications and broadcasting. ... The presumption of provincial jurisdiction has not been rebutted, and the Board does not have jurisdiction over Overstory's labour relations."<ref name="thewalrus"/>
In March 2024, OMG's board of directors fired Mohamed as CEO, but he retained his seat on the board.<ref name="thewalrus"/> Glen Clark, the former Premier of British Columbia, succeeded Mohamed as CEO later that month.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sagan |first=Alexandra |date=25 March 2024 |title=Ex-B.C. premier Glen Clark takes reins of Overstory Media Group |url=https://thelogic.co/news/exclusive/glen-clark-takes-over-overstory-media-group/ |work=The Logic |access-date=31 March 2026}}</ref>
==Operations== Overstory Media Group publishes 12 newspapers and newsletters in three provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.<ref name="brands"/> The company directs its editorial staff to use artificial intelligence tools in their work; their AI usage policy states: "As part of our commitment to editorial excellence and operational efficiency, Overstory Media is implementing AI tools to enhance our editorial workflows. ... Starting Monday, June 2, 2025, all editorial teams across our publications are expected to integrate the following AI tools into their daily workflows." Their policy lists four AI tools to be used by staff: Otter.ai, Quillbot, Beehiiv, and Claude.ai.<ref name="aislop">{{cite news |last=Bousquet |first=Tim |date=19 June 2025 |title=Overstory Media Group's AI policy is a giant time suck for reporters |url=https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/journalism/overstory-media-groups-ai-policy-is-a-giant-time-suck-for-reporters/ |work=Halifax Examiner |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260331195308/https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/journalism/overstory-media-groups-ai-policy-is-a-giant-time-suck-for-reporters/ |archive-date=31 March 2026}}</ref> Tim Bousquet of the ''Halifax Examiner'' has opined that articles from ''The Coast'' bylined "Team Coast" may be entirely AI-generated.<ref name="aislop"/>
==Assets== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of publications owned by Overstory Media Group |- ! Title ! Location ! ISSN ! {{Abbr|Ref(s).|References}} |- | ''{{va|Burnaby Beacon}}'' | British Columbia | {{ISSN|2819-0424|plainlink=yes}} | <ref name="brands">{{cite web |title=Brands |url=https://www.overstorymedia.com/brands |publisher=Overstory Media Group |access-date=31 March 2026}}</ref> |- | ''{{va|Calgary Citizen}}'' | Alberta | {{ISSN|2819-0467|plainlink=yes}} | <ref name="brands"/> |- | ''{{va|Calgary Tech Journal}}'' | Alberta | {{ISSN|2819-0386|plainlink=yes}} | <ref name="brands"/> |- | ''{{va|Capital Daily}}'' | British Columbia | {{ISSN|2819-0297|plainlink=yes}} | <ref name="brands"/> |- | ''The Coast'' | Nova Scotia | {{ISSN|1497-0201|plainlink=yes}} | <ref name="inniss"/><ref name="woodford"/> |- | ''{{va|Fraser Valley Current}}'' | British Columbia | {{ISSN|2819-0432|plainlink=yes}} | <ref name="brands"/> |- | ''The Georgia Straight'' | British Columbia | {{ISSN|0016-8432|plainlink=yes}} | <ref name="caddell"/><ref name="korstrom"/> |- | ''{{va|Oak Bay Local}}'' | British Columbia | N/A | <ref name="brands"/> |- | ''{{va|Tasting Victoria}}'' | British Columbia | {{ISSN|2819-0459|plainlink=yes}} | <ref name="brands"/> |- | ''{{va|Vancouver Tech Journal}}'' | British Columbia | {{ISSN|2819-0378|plainlink=yes}} | <ref name="brands"/> |- | ''{{va|Victoria Tech Journal}}'' | British Columbia | {{ISSN|2819-0416|plainlink=yes}} | <ref name="brands"/> |- | ''{{va|The Westshore}}'' | British Columbia | {{ISSN|2819-0440|plainlink=yes}} | <ref name="brands"/> |- |}
==See also== * History of Canadian newspapers * List of newspapers in Canada * Media of Canada
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== * {{cite news |last=Cecco |first=Leyland |date=14 February 2023 |title=Startup aimed to reshape media – and learned 'news is hard' the hard way |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/14/canadian-media-group-overstory-job-cuts |work=The Guardian |issn=1756-3224 |access-date=31 March 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725044156/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/14/canadian-media-group-overstory-job-cuts |archive-date=25 July 2025}}
==External links== * {{Official website}}
{{Canadian journalism}} {{Portal bar|Canada|Journalism}} Category:Newspaper companies of Canada Category:Companies based in Victoria, British Columbia Category:Mass media companies established in 2021 Category:2021 establishments in British Columbia