• The Public Policy Forum’s report The Shattered Mirror recommended Ottawa step up to help preserve Canadian news coverage. Screenshot by J-Source.

    Don’t touch that chequebook! A second look at The Shattered Mirror

    By Madelaine Drohan Traditional media firms are undoubtedly suffering in the digital age. But does it follow that the public is being harmed? The Public Policy Forum’s recent report on the state of Canadian media conveys a great deal of information about journalistic jobs lost, newspapers shuttered and the giant sucking sound of advertising revenues…
  • Canadian Journalists for Free Expression hosted a rally outside Osgoode Hall during the appeal. "We're not facing a brave new world, but a frightening new world," CJFE executive director Tom Henheffer (left) told a small crowd. Right: Ben Makuch.

    Vice Canada’s ongoing legal case is about bigger issues in Canadian journalism

    By Kat Eschner Third-party intervenors in yesterday’s appeal by Ben Makuch and Vice Canada provided broader context into the importance and dangers of this case. Vice Canada and Ben Makuch’s lawyer Iain MacKinnon argued that forcing the national security reporter to give up records of his Kik messenger chats with alleged ISIS member Farah Mohamed…
  • Independent journalist at No DAPL protest

    Ten ways to build a new Canadian media ecosystem

    By David Beers and Robyn Smith “Ailing,” “beleaguered” and “being murdered” — according to its own headlines, 2016 was a rough year for journalism in Canada. Entering 2017, it shows no signs of recovery. Legacy media are still struggling with the digital transition. Advertising dollars are all but gone, sucked up by American web platforms…
  • The burning of Rome: Detail from the cover of E.T. Paull's The Burning of Rome sheet music. Wikicommons

    Must journalists fiddle while democracy burns?

    By Robert Sutton The broad mandate of the Public Policy Forum’s report, The Shattered Mirror, was not ultimately to defend any particular mode of news delivery, but to evaluate the risks to Canadian democracy if the delivery of news continues its current decline. Sadly, within days of the report’s Jan. 26 release, discussion has devolved to one…
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    Memo: David Skok leaves the Toronto Star

    The following memo was sent to Toronto Star staff on Feb. 3, 2017, from John Honderich, Chairman, Board of Directors To All Staff I am writing to advise that David Skok is departing from the Star today. David joined the Star in 2016 as Associate Editor, Digital and Head of Digital Strategy. We extend our best wishes…

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    Rally planned to support Vice journalist fighting RCMP production order

    By Grant Buckler A coalition of press freedom organizations have planned a rally on Monday, Feb. 6, in support of Ben Makuch. The Vice Media Canada journalist was ordered in February 2015 to hand over information concerning interviews he conducted with a Canadian member of  Islamic State. In a production order, the Royal Canadian Mounted…