Journalism News and Jobs: Canada
John Carson
A seasoned professional in journalism, communications, editorial, digital content and social media strategy. Currently specializing in legal content, news, editorial, copywriting and project management.
December 5, 2024 (Issue 24)
Welcome to Journalism News and Jobs: Canada.
Every Thursday I'll curate interesting news items about Canadian journalism with a quick summary and link to read the full story.
I'll also add some hand-picked Canadian journalism jobs with links to the media outlet or organization and (where possible) a contact name and/or e-mail, so you can apply to a real person.
Feedback and news/jobs tips welcome!
John Carson / johncarson AT gmail DOT COM
Stratford-Perth newspaper archive sees 38K views in first six weeks
Earlier this year, Stratford-Perth Archives launched a newspaper database on the OurDigitalWorld website, providing free online access to digitized pre-1950 local newspapers, with keyword search functionality for easy content discovery. The database has garnered over 38,000 views from users worldwide in its first six weeks. Currently, 18 Perth County newspapers have been digitized, 13 of which are available online, including titles such as the Stratford Mirror, Listowel Banner, and Mitchell Advocate. Led by Assistant Archivist Jennifer Georgiou, the project focuses on preserving fragile original papers by creating accessible digital copies. Supported by the Perth County branch of Ontario Ancestors, the initiative continues to expand, with more issues and titles to be added annually. Post-1949 issues and recent editions are available exclusively on public computers at the Archives’ reading room.
Canadian media companies sue OpenAI in case potentially worth billions
Canada’s leading news organizations, including the CBC, Globe and Mail, and Toronto Star, have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the company unlawfully used their articles to train its ChatGPT software, enriching itself at the expense of publishers. Filed in Ontario, the suit seeks punitive damages, profit sharing, and an injunction to stop OpenAI from using their content. News Media Canada president Paul Deegan accused AI firms of "strip-mining journalism," exploiting publishers' investments in original reporting. The plaintiffs demand up to C$20,000 per article, potentially leading to billions in damages, claiming OpenAI scraped their proprietary content without authorization. This lawsuit follows broader tensions between Canadian media and tech giants like Meta, amid global disputes over AI’s use of copyrighted material. OpenAI, valued at over $150 billion, has signed licensing deals with some media outlets but has not yet responded to the claims.
Enforcing negotiated rights leads to layoffs at TVO
The Canadian Media Guild (CMG) announced that TVO is laying off 16 of its approximately 90 members in the online news division, citing budget constraints and restructuring. This comes after CMG members, who have long waived their conversion rights for temporary workers under their collective agreement, recently chose to enforce these rights. The layoffs follow a 12-week strike in 2023 over unresolved negotiations on this issue, during which members rejected a memorandum to delay these rights further. CMG expressed disappointment over the timing, with the holiday season approaching, and emphasized the importance of maintaining access to quality information for Canadians. The guild pledged support for affected members and solidarity with the democratic decisions made by the TVO Branch.
The Green Line creates local news for the people turning away from “big-J journalism”
Toronto-based The Green Line is reimagining local news with its “action journey” model, combining traditional reporting, community events, and solution-focused content to address urban challenges. Founded in 2022 by journalism innovator Anita Li, the platform aims to engage millennials and Gen Z through accessible storytelling and community connections, tackling issues like housing and community-building. Despite challenges like Meta’s news ban, The Green Line has maintained profitability through partnerships, grants, memberships, and events, while focusing on in-person engagement and practical tools for Torontonians. With a small, dedicated team and a localized approach, Li envisions sustainable growth rooted in deep community ties, contrasting with the scale-driven models of traditional digital media.
News still being consumed, just differently: Globe journalist/authors
The Burlington Literary Festival, hosted by the Burlington Public Library (BPL) in November, celebrated its fourth year with diverse events including author talks, writing workshops, and open mic sessions. Featuring over 20 presentations across genres, the festival covered topics from mystery writing to self-publishing. The closing event highlighted award-winning journalists Elizabeth Renzetti and Doug Saunders, who discussed journalism’s role in addressing social issues. Renzetti, focusing on gender equality and pay equity, emphasized the importance of systemic change and respecting full human rights, including for marginalized groups. Saunders explored immigration, population dynamics, and Canada’s housing crisis, underscoring the economic necessity of immigration. Both highlighted the evolving consumption of news, with Saunders stressing the need for quality journalism and Renzetti praising emerging independent outlets for their impactful reporting.
Tech titans should pay to save Canada’s newsrooms
The evolution of journalism in the 20th century saw a shift from hard news to ad-friendly “fluff,” driven by advertiser preferences that sidelined investigative and accountability reporting. This transformation diminished journalism’s critical role in democracy, as newspapers prioritized consumer-oriented content to attract revenue. The decline in hard news and local coverage has led to reduced civic engagement, weakened democratic oversight, and increased misinformation. To address this crisis, solutions proposed include digital-first strategies funded by earmarked taxes on digital services and telecom profits, aiming to bolster accountability journalism. Measures such as Local Democracy Reporters, expanded nonprofit journalism, and public funding could restore robust reporting, ensuring the media serves public interest rather than corporate profits. A reimagined, sustainable media ecosystem emphasizing investigative journalism is essential to counter societal and democratic decline.
Creating welcoming spaces: Indigenous journalism students’ perspectives on programming and representation
This research examines the experiences of Indigenous journalism students in Canada and identifies ways to enhance inclusivity and create more supportive environments in journalism programs. Drawing on 21 qualitative interviews with Indigenous students and alumni from 1990 to 2022, it explores issues such as representation, cultural sensitivity, and content relevance, alongside a quantitative analysis of Indigenous representation in journalism programs. The findings highlight challenges like racism and isolation while offering practical recommendations from participants to help educators and institutions foster more welcoming and culturally responsive learning spaces.
It was fun until it wasn’t: Broken Pencil, 1995-2024
Hal Niedzviecki, founder and co-publisher of Broken Pencil Magazine, has announced its closure after 30 years of celebrating zine culture and independent media. While reflecting on its legacy as a platform that empowered thousands of writers, creators, and underrepresented voices, Niedzviecki expressed pride in the magazine’s role in building a vibrant community and fostering creativity. However, he cited the erosion of core values like free speech and independent thought within the zine and small press community as a key factor in the decision, alongside personal harassment and ideological pressures that made continuing untenable. Despite the magazine’s significant cultural impact and contributions, Niedzviecki acknowledged the shifting cultural landscape as incompatible with the principles on which Broken Pencil was founded. Grateful for the journey, he pledged to champion creativity and countercultural expression in new ways.
AI might try to come for journalism – but here’s why it won’t succeed
A Polish radio station's experiment replacing human journalists with AI presenters sparked both intrigue and outrage, highlighting AI's potential and pitfalls in media. While audience numbers initially surged, backlash followed after poorly received segments, such as an AI "interview" with a deceased Nobel laureate, leading to the station reinstating human hosts. AI is increasingly used in journalism to streamline tasks like data analysis, transcription, and automated reporting, but ethical concerns remain. Transparency and human oversight are essential to avoid errors, misinformation, and reputational harm. Despite fears of AI replacing journalists, its role as a supportive tool seems more viable, with future media professionals recognizing both its utility and limitations.
National Newspaper Awards open for entries for 2024 contest
The National Newspaper Awards is now accepting entries for its 76th annual contest, open to Canadian print and digital publications publishing at least five days a week, with exceptions for some non-dailies meeting online thresholds. Submissions, priced at $30 each, are due by January 15, 2025, covering work first published in 2024. The competition features 23 categories, including the Photo Story category introduced last year, and allows entries in languages other than English or French, particularly in the Special Topic category. Winners will be announced at a gala on April 25, 2025, in Montreal. Additionally, the Special Recognition Citation recognizes innovative journalism from otherwise ineligible organizations or unconventional formats. Supporting letters, while optional, are encouraged for context.
Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast: Arshy Mann on the launch of ‘The Hatchet’
Arshy Mann and Jordan Cornish, known for producing Canadaland's COMMONS for six years and 13 seasons, have launched The Hatchet, a weekly podcast and newsletter on Substack focused on exposing power and money in Canada. In an episode of Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast, Mann discusses their decision to go independent, his candid views on the state of Canadian media, and the rationale behind his amicable departure from Canadaland.
Your late Black Friday gift: The CAJ’s mentorship program is back!
The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) has opened applications for the 11th round of its mentorship program, a popular initiative launched in 2019 to support the professional growth of journalists across Canada. This Autumn 2024 session features 30 leading journalists from various media sectors volunteering to mentor early- and mid-career colleagues. Participants will receive one-on-one guidance over six weeks, focusing on overcoming challenges, building confidence, and strengthening community ties. Applications, open to CAJ members, close at 11:59 pm ET on Friday, December 6, 2024. Details, including mentor bios and application links, are available on the CAJ mentorship webpage.
Nominations for 2025 Press Freedom Awards now open
World Press Freedom Canada (WPFC) has opened nominations for its 2025 Press Freedom Awards, including two Press Freedom prizes — one for larger publications and one for local journalism — alongside the Career Achievement Award honoring lifetime contributions to press freedom. Additionally, the Student Achievement Award will recognize a post-secondary student journalist whose work in 2024 demonstrated commitment to press freedom despite challenges. Winners of the awards, which include cash prizes of $2,500 for professional categories and $1,000 for students, will be celebrated at the Press Freedom Awards Luncheon on May 1, 2025, in Ottawa. Nominations close on February 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
The call for entries for the 2025 Canadian Hillman Prizes is now open
The Canadian Hillman Prizes celebrate investigative journalism that highlights social or economic injustices and drives meaningful public policy change. Starting in 2024, three awards will be presented annually in the categories of print/digital, broadcast, and local/community news. Eligible entries must have been published in Canada in 2024 and widely accessible to a Canadian audience, excluding self-published work. There is no entry fee or limit on submissions per journalist or outlet. Winners will receive an honorarium and a certificate at the awards event on April 3, 2025, in Toronto.
https://www.hillmanfoundation.org/canadian-hillman-prize/nominations
The Law Commission of Canada and the Canadian Bar Association launch inaugural Journalism Fellowship
The Law Commission of Canada (LCC) and the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) have launched the LCC-CBA Journalism Fellowship, a $40,000 CAD initiative supporting in-depth reporting on critical law and justice issues in Canada. The one-year fellowship aims to highlight the human stories behind legal systems and promote public understanding of law, justice, and democratic governance. Open to experienced Canadian journalists, the fellowship requires the production of four long-form articles (2,500–4,000 words) exploring underreported legal topics. Applications are due by January 17, 2025, with the selected fellow beginning their work in February 2025.
St. Clair students take posts on Windsor streetcorners for annual Goodfellows Newspaper Drive
Students from St. Clair College are joining the 111-year-old Windsor Goodfellows Newspaper Drive to support the organization's Christmas Food Box Program, which provides food and vouchers to thousands of families in need across Windsor and Essex County. Volunteers, including those from the college's Protection, Security, and Investigation, Police Foundations, Border Services, and Community and Justice Services programs, distribute special-edition Windsor Star newspapers at busy street corners in exchange for donations. This year’s goal is $375,000, driven by a 40% increase in demand over three years. Students value the opportunity for community engagement, with many highlighting how it fosters responsibility, gratitude, and compassion. In 2023, they raised over $13,000 as part of the campaign's record haul of $403,000, and donations can also be made online at windsorgoodfellows.org.
Truth, reconciliation, democracy: Connie Walker's career connects them all
Connie Walker, one of Canada's most acclaimed journalists, won the Pulitzer, Peabody, and Columbia-Dupont awards in 2024 for her podcast Stolen: Surviving St. Michael's, which explores her father’s residential school experience and its impact on her family. Initially hesitant to incorporate her personal history into her reporting, Walker embraced her lived experience as a lens to reveal the truth about residential schools and Indigenous stories. Her career began with a high school article on the injustice surrounding the murder of Pamela George, fueling her passion for Indigenous representation in media. Walker's storytelling evolved through podcasting, where she tackled complex topics such as missing and murdered Indigenous women and the systemic abuse within residential schools. Her work highlights the interconnected histories of Indigenous communities and institutional systems, with Stolen revealing the multi-generational trauma tied to one school attended by her family for over a century. Now, Walker is determined to document the broader legacy of Canada’s 130 residential schools before critical survivor testimonies are permanently destroyed in 2027.
Senior Managing Director - CBC Ontario, CBC/Radio-Canada
Assistant Desk Editor, Village Media
CJIIC Program Manager, Carleton University School of Journalism and Communication
Business Writer and Researcher, Grow Well
Multi-Platform Writer, CTV Toronto, Bell Media
Development Coordinator, Investigative Journalism Foundation
Broadcast and Online Journalist, Pattison Media
Dave Barry, e-mail: [email protected] / https://broadcastdialogue.com/job/pattison-media-ltd-remote-western-canada-full-time-remote-broadcast-online-journalist/
Managing Editor, Postmedia Calgary
Journalist/Editor, Glacier FarmMedia
Energy Reporter, Reuters
Videographer, CTV Kitchener, Bell Media
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