Town Hall

Tonight's disconnect? Cancelling Connect with Mark Kelley

May 15, 2012 - Posted by Nicole Blanchett Neheli

What do you do with your highest rated orginal program when it has an engaged audience and phenomenal growth? Cut it. That's what's happening to CBC News Network's Connect with Mark Kelley. Field Notes Editor Nicole Blanchett Neheli finds out why.

New tool for social media verification carries heavy price tag

May 14, 2012 - Posted by Angelina Irinici

A new service, Geofeedia (previously Geofeedr) launched its new interface today. It aims to aid journalists when reporting breaking news by allowing them to monitor geographical areas or to identify an area of interest.

Ban billboards, revive print advertising dollars

May 11, 2012 - Posted by Belinda Alzner

We've known the financial picture for Canadian journalism has been in decline for a while. But one quick-and-dirty answer that has yet to be considered in Canada comes courtesy of a documentary called This Space Available, which is showing in Toronto for the first time this weekend. Here, it is asked: Could a ban on outdoor advertising help revive sluggish print advertising dollars?

Wearing your newspaper to prom—no, really

May 09, 2012 - Posted by Belinda Alzner

The Detroit Free Press has published an entire gallery of prom dresses that have been made out of re-purposed newspaper. Sure, they may not be practical—presumably you'd have to be okay with ink rubbing off onto you in order to wear one and they would probably rip easier than traditional fabric—but the idea is pretty cool. Some of the dresses will actually be worn to proms, too, according to the Free Press story.

Is this article trying to sell you something? (Or, the role of advertorials)

May 08, 2012 - Posted by Belinda Alzner

At times, newspapers walk a fine line between advertising and editorial. As Heather Jordan Ross explains in the latest issue of the King's Journalism Review, advertorials come in all shapes and sizes and, in some cases, are absolutely essential to the survival of the newspaper.

Does the Sutherland example show a need for editorial oversight on reporters’ tweets?

May 07, 2012 - Posted by Belinda Alzner

The Montreal Gazette's Anne Sutherland's tweets last week have raised the question of whether or not editors should have some sort of oversight when reporters are live-tweeting from the field. After all, while live-tweeting on assignment, a reporter is directly representing his or her news organization. Or should reporters simply know better and act the way they would while covering an assignment by any other means?

On Rob Ford, Daniel Dale and Fencegate: Journalists, stand together for access to information

May 07, 2012 - Posted by Belinda Alzner

Could all of Toronto media feel the effects of a 'Ford freeze?' Romayne Smith Fullerton, a professor of media studies at the University of Western Ontario, takes a look at the bigger picture behind Ford's dispute with Dale

Student journalist draws lessons for media from her own tragedy and how it was covered

May 06, 2012 - Posted by Janice Neil

Has there been a shift in the way suicide is reported?

Apr 30, 2012 - Posted by Belinda Alzner

The conversation surrounding how we report on issues as sensitive as suicide continues. Melanie Coulson, a senior online editor at The Ottawa Citizen, a journalism instructor at Carleton University, and someone who has direct experience with it, looks at the shift in the reporting of suicide over the years.

Burma media freedom a work in progress

Apr 29, 2012 - Posted by Patricia Elliott

With World Press Freedom Day coming up on May 3, Patricia Elliot takes a look at recent developments in Burma, which is poised to embrace press freedom for the first time in 50 years.

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