J-Topics
Nov 04, 2009
- Posted by Regan
Ray
A group of fourteen Canadian writers' organizations has teamed up to create a newly launched website called Bad Writing Contracts. The goal of the site is to "raise awareness about the unfair and damaging freelance contract from Transcontinental Media." While the site is currently focused on Transcon and its latest contract, the coalition...
Nov 02, 2009
- Posted by Regan
Ray
Canadian industry association Magazines Canada has released the 2009 edition of its Consumer Magazine Factbook. According to a news release, the book "contains 72 pages of new and updated industry information and research." It includes information for...
Oct 23, 2009
- Posted by Regan
Ray
Reader’s Digest Canada has over six million readers and an ambitious new editor hired from one of the country’s most daring small magazines. Ryerson Review of Journalism reporter Matthew Halliday examines the mag under a new editor. He asks: Can Derek Webster save the old standby from irrelevance?
Oct 13, 2009
- Posted by Melissa
Wilson - Students' Lounge Editor
There was no time to be flustered, remembers Christal Gardiola in this new journalist's essay on her first foray into the world of magazine fact-checking.
There was no time to be flustered, remembers Christal Gardiola in this new journalist's essay on her first foray into the world of magazine fact-checking.
Oct 01, 2009
- Posted by Deborah
Jones
Some reaction to the boycott by independent writers against Transcontinental is dribbling in. Slowly, cautiously, too often anonymously ... geez writers are a timid breed...
Sep 30, 2009
- Posted by Deborah
Jones
It's about time that independent writers got our act together, and if it takes a boycott of Canadian Living, More, Elle Canada, Homemakers, and Vancouver Magazine to protest Transcontinental's odious new contract, so be it.
More than a dozen organizations of Canadian writers "are calling on the thousands of writers they represent to not write for any publications owned by Transcontinental Media, effective immediately," said a press release.
Can a boycott hold up against the pressure of thousands of writers eagerly lined up hoping for a shot of the action -- and willing to risk their own skins to undermine efforts by professional writers to improve everyone's lot? I wouldn't bet on it -- writers are just as naive, uninformed and unprincipled as the general population. There is no "strike" fund for freelance writers. But I still support the boycott, and I ask that you do as well.
What's really needed, imo, are changes to Canada's anti-trust laws to give them teeth -- but that might be even harder to push through than a boycott. Even the most ardent capitalists agree that free markets are no longer "free" when monopolies take over -- and Canadian media is arguably controlled by a collection of mini-monopolies that stifle the free enterprise of competitors, as well as of entrepreneurial writers.
Click "more" to read the full press release. Here is a link to the astonishing number of publications owned by Transcontinental.
More than a dozen organizations of Canadian writers "are calling on the thousands of writers they represent to not write for any publications owned by Transcontinental Media, effective immediately," said a press release.
Can a boycott hold up against the pressure of thousands of writers eagerly lined up hoping for a shot of the action -- and willing to risk their own skins to undermine efforts by professional writers to improve everyone's lot? I wouldn't bet on it -- writers are just as naive, uninformed and unprincipled as the general population. There is no "strike" fund for freelance writers. But I still support the boycott, and I ask that you do as well.
What's really needed, imo, are changes to Canada's anti-trust laws to give them teeth -- but that might be even harder to push through than a boycott. Even the most ardent capitalists agree that free markets are no longer "free" when monopolies take over -- and Canadian media is arguably controlled by a collection of mini-monopolies that stifle the free enterprise of competitors, as well as of entrepreneurial writers.
Click "more" to read the full press release. Here is a link to the astonishing number of publications owned by Transcontinental.
Sep 29, 2009
- Posted by Regan
Ray
After a series of changes and layoffs at Rogers Publishing, Masthead Online is now reporting that another ten employees have been asked to leave the company.
A Rogers spokesperson confirmed the layoffs for Masthead, but would not say who or what publications were affected.
A Rogers spokesperson confirmed the layoffs for Masthead, but would not say who or what publications were affected.
Sep 28, 2009
- Posted by Regan
Ray
North Island Publishing has announced that Valerie Maloney is the new editor of Masthead Online. Masthead Online is...
Sep 21, 2009
- Posted by Regan
Ray
Toronto-based Quarto Communications has purchased two Transcontinental Media magazine titles, Canadian Home Workshop and Outdoor Canada, Masthead Online reports. Quarto is...
Sep 14, 2009
- Posted by Regan
Ray
Professional industry association Magazines Canada has launched Audiomag, a podcast focused on magazine industry issues. Audiomag is produced by Tina Pittaway, a Toronto-based writer and broadcaster. The first episode features Paul Rossi, North American publisher of The Economist, talking about...
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