Justin Trudeau's government has been accused of trying to buy media support and undermining the free press by launching a $600 million taxpayer-funded bailout for Canadian newspapers.

The fund for "Supporting Canadian Journalism" would give tax credits and other incentives to traditional media organisations struggling to cope in the digital age.

A bill introducing the scheme is expected to pass the Canadian Parliament in the next few months, ahead of the general election in October.

The Conservative opposition said the scheme would compromise journalists, move Canada toward "state-run media," and lead to favourable pre-election coverage for Mr Trudeau and his party.

Pierre Poilievre, a Conservative MP, told The Sunday Telegraph: "I think Trudeau's timing has been brilliant. He's made it an election issue for journalists. The implication is 'Help me get back in and we'll give you a big pile of cash - allow me to be defeated and you'll be paying your own bills'."