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.
September 5, 2024 (Issue 11)
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
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncarson/
A note to readers from Postmedia CEO Andrew MacLeod
Postmedia emphasizes its commitment to revitalizing historic news brands in Atlantic Canada, recognizing the challenges faced by local journalism amidst the media landscape's disruption. The company's new ownership, facilitated by the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, provides an opportunity for a fresh start. Postmedia pledges to uphold community-focused journalism, celebrating successes and challenging the establishment. By prioritizing local reporting and employing more Canadian journalists than any company aside from CBC, Postmedia aims to sustain local news in the digital era, asking for continued community support while committing to a vibrant future for Atlantic Canada’s news ecosystem.
Queen’s owned radio station stands alone as Corus Entertainment cuts local media in Kingston
Kingston’s local radio landscape has been dramatically altered after Corus Entertainment laid off hosts at two major stations, Fresh Radio 104.3 and BIG 96.3, in favor of pre-recorded broadcasts from Toronto and Peterborough. The cuts, which also affected Global TV Kingston, reflect wider layoffs in Canada’s media industry, as seen with CBC, Radio Canada, and Bell Media. CFRC 101.9-FM, Queen’s University’s station, now stands as the city’s only remaining local radio outlet. Dinah Jansen, CFRC’s executive director, stressed the need for community support, while Kingston leaders urged Corus to reconsider its decision, emphasizing the importance of local media in maintaining community connections.
Postmedia CEO says layoffs at SaltWire, Herald are necessary to stabilize papers
Postmedia Network Inc.'s CEO, Andrew MacLeod, defended the recent layoffs at Atlantic Canada’s largest newspaper chain, stating they were necessary to prevent the bankruptcy of SaltWire Network Inc. and the Halifax Herald Ltd., which Postmedia purchased for $1 million. More than 60 employees were laid off, while nearly 300 remain as the company seeks to stabilize the newspapers' operations. MacLeod emphasized that the changes aim to preserve as many newsroom jobs as possible and restore the historic names of local newspapers like The Chronicle Herald, which had been de-emphasized under SaltWire. While future layoffs are possible, Postmedia aims to maintain local news coverage in the region.
https://globalnews.ca/news/10727231/postmedia-layoffs-saltwire/
Montreal's local news outlets blocked by Meta in Bill C-18 fallout
As Meta removes Canadian news content from its platforms in response to Bill C-18, which requires tech giants to compensate news outlets for hosting their content, Canadian newsrooms, including student-run papers like Concordia University's The Link, are struggling to adapt. Many news outlets rely heavily on Meta's platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, to distribute their content. The move has raised concerns about misinformation spreading unchecked on social media, as noted by local news directors like Paul Graif, who fears that without real news, false information will dominate. While some Canadian companies have pulled their advertising from Meta, broader corporate support for journalism remains limited.
New magazine will challenge newcomer stereotypes, co-founder says
A new national magazine called 3, co-founded by Muraly Srinarayanathas, aims to share stories about Canadian immigrants and "third culture kids" — individuals shaped by both their parents' culture and the culture they grow up in. Srinarayanathas, who has Sri Lankan-Tamil roots and immigrated to Canada, hopes the magazine will challenge stereotypes and highlight the diverse experiences of newcomers, especially as immigration drives Canada’s population growth. The quarterly "luxury lifestyle" magazine, published by St. Joseph Communications, will feature in-depth profiles and commentary, with its debut issue spotlighting Abdullah Snobar, a tech entrepreneur committed to contributing to Canada's future. The magazine's mission has been praised as a unique and overdue addition to the Canadian media landscape.
Student behind East Three school newspaper passing the torch
In 2024, East Three Secondary School students were kept informed about school events through a student-run newspaper led by Livia Amos, who started it as part of her student council work. As the main editor, Amos oversaw the entire production, with a small team contributing photos. She began by taking photos on her iPhone before upgrading to a waterproof Canon camera and used Canva for layout. The newspaper featured regular issues, special editions, and a joke of the day, bringing the school community together. With her graduation, Amos expressed hope that another student would continue the project.
Expect less N.L. content in the Telegram under new Postmedia owner, says journalism prof
Chris Waddell, a journalism professor from Carleton University, warns that readers should expect less Newfoundland and Labrador-focused content in the St. John's Telegram following newsroom cuts by its new owner, Postmedia. These reductions are part of Postmedia's broader cost-cutting strategy, implemented after acquiring SaltWire Network, to combat declining advertising revenue. Waddell explains that fewer local stories and more national or wire service articles may result in diminished readership, causing a "death spiral" of further cuts and losses. The Telegram will reduce print editions to once a week while maintaining daily online content, but Waddell questions whether a small staff can sustain this model. He also highlights the shift towards digital platforms but warns of burnout for overburdened employees.
J-Talks Live | Media Myths Debunked: What the public doesn’t know and needs to know about journalism and why it matters
Distrust of media, often rooted in misunderstanding of journalism’s purpose and how journalists do their jobs, is nothing new. Public editors, news ombudsmen and standard editors are on the frontlines of understanding and responding to public misinformation about the media. For Media Literacy Week, a week to promote public understanding of journalism and media, a panel of frontline journalists working in these unique public roles in Canada and the UK will explore the most ubiquitous misconceptions about journalists, journalism and the media. This virtual event will take place on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 1 p.m. EDT.
New members appointed to the Independent Advisory Board on Eligibility for Journalism Tax Measures
The Government of Canada has announced the appointment of new members to the Independent Advisory Board on Eligibility for Journalism Tax Measures, with Brenda O'Farrell and Michael Eric Cooke appointed in June 2024, and Ravindra N. Mohabeer and Margo Marian Goodhand, who will serve as Vice-Chairperson, appointed in September 2024. The Advisory Board, made up of seven members from across Canada, provides independent assessments and recommendations to the Minister of National Revenue regarding journalism organizations' qualifications under the Income Tax Act. Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau thanked departing Vice-Chairperson Kim Kierans for her service, as her term ends in September.
Climate journalism remains a top priority for CBC News
Since committing to climate change as a priority in 2021, CBC News has focused on covering the impacts of climate on all aspects of life, such as health, economy, and national security. Their coverage highlights both crises, like wildfires, flooding, and rising sea levels, and stories of resilience and innovation. CBC has created a dedicated climate unit, launched the Climate Dashboard to track trends, and provided specialized training for journalists. Their efforts include a special project, "Overheated," exploring the effects of heat on ecosystems and human health. CBC’s commitment has earned them multiple journalism awards for their climate-related reporting.
Nelson Bird opens a new chapter in his journalism career
Former CTV News personality Nelson Bird has embraced his new role as a community radio host, teacher, and mentor at the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv). Bird, a member of the Peepeekisis Cree Nation, has returned to where his journalism journey began in 1993 as part of the Indigenous Communication Arts (INCA) program, now teaching students and sharing his 30 years of industry experience. Bird’s debut radio show, "The Nelson Bird Show," features conversations focused on Indigenous history, culture, and humour. His decision to leave mainstream media reflects his desire to focus on smaller outlets that tell personal Indigenous stories.
Representation in media
Diversity in Canadian journalism remains limited, according to the 2023 Canadian Newsroom Diversity Survey, which found that 75.5% of journalists identify as white, while only 5.2% identify as Indigenous and 19.3% as visible minorities. The survey, covering 6,035 journalists in 273 newsrooms, revealed that most leadership positions lack Indigenous or minority representation, with diversity more common among part-time staff and interns. Larger newsrooms tend to be more diverse, but smaller ones still lack representation. The lack of diverse voices impacts how stories, especially those from Indigenous communities, are told, emphasizing the need for more inclusivity in journalism.
Editor, Healthcare Newsletter, Think Research
Senior Manager, CityNews Vancouver
Editor in Chief, Canada, Yahoo (reposted by employer)
Reporter, Financial Post (reposted by employer)
Desk Editor, Reuters (reposted by employer)
News Reporter, Vista Radio
Freelancers, TVO Today
"TVO Today is putting more resources into reported journalism about things that matter to Ontarians. That means we're commissioning more short features and bumping our base feature rate to $1/word. Reach out to me anytime if you have questions about the kinds of pieces we're looking for, or if you want to discuss ideas."
Nathaniel Basen, Senior Editor, TVO, e-mail: [email protected]
Bilingual Overnight Content Editor, Cision
https://jobs.lever.co/cision/3de07592-7fb5-4d7a-83a5-91b6378f2eec
--
3moCan worker visa go to Canada I need work please help me