CanWest Global Media Awareness Network's newest sponsor

Ottawa, November 9, 2000 - The Media Awareness Network (MNet) announced today that CanWest Global is MNet's newest sponsor.

Starting this year, Global will contribute $100,000 to the Media Awareness Network every year for five years.

Global's contribution to the Media Awareness Network is part of its public benefits package that was a requirement of Global's application to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for the purchase of WIC Western International Communications Ltd.

"CanWest Global is committed to ensuring that the Media Awareness Network remains adequately funded. MNet's work - helping young people learn to 'read' the media messages that are informing and entertaining them - is an essential component of a healthy broadcast system," says Kevin Shea, President of Global Television Network.

Global joins a growing roster of Media Awareness Network sponsors from the broadcast, cable, telecommunications and new media industries, as well as provincial and federal government departments and agencies. The Media Awareness Network's sponsors acknowledge and support rigorous sponsorship guidelines, ensuring that MNet's programs are free of commercial content. The Media Awareness Network's programs have been endorsed by the Canadian Teachers' Federation and the Canadian Association of Principals.

"Global's benefits package comes at a very important period for us," says Jan D'Arcy, Co-Director of the Media Awareness Network . "MNet's work is of timely interest to Canadians across many different communities - parents, teachers, health and community professionals, as well as government and industry leaders. We all have a vested interest in supporting healthy cultural and social environments within which children can learn about the world and develop their beliefs and values."

"We are pleased to recognize Global as MNet's first donor through the CRTC benefits program," D'Arcy noted.

The Media Awareness Network is a national non-profit organization promoting and supporting media education in Canadian homes, school and communities. MNet is a world leader in Web literacy initiatives and has mounted a national public education program, Web Awareness: Knowing the Issues, designed to raise awareness of the issues facing children and young people as they go online.

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For more information, contact:

Jan D'Arcy
Co-Director
Media Awareness Network
Tel: (613) 224-6892
Fax: (613) 224-1958
Web: www.media-awareness.ca