David Skok, Director, Globalnews.ca, Shaw Media
Original nomination:
David Skok is a rare blend of practitioner and theorist, whose work on both sides of the fence have distinguished him among journalists, not just in Canada but around the world.
The first ever Martin Wise Goodman fellow to come from a digital background, Skok recently spent a year at Harvard's Nieman Foundation examining the role of disruption in traditional news operations. His theoretical work has translated into practice, both in his job as Director of Globalnews.ca, and in a growing number of newsrooms across Canada.
Before and after Harvard, Skok provided the spark for some of the most innovative digital efforts in Canada. They include live event coverage blending video, social media and live blogging and investigative data journalism. He is now successfully leading the effort to reshape Global News' culture to be more effective digitally, which includes implementing new workflows and roles in the network's newsrooms.
Links:
Nieman reports: Be the Disruptor http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/assets/ebook/niemanreports/fall2012/NiemanReports-Fall2012CoverStory.pdf
Nieman reports: Finding a way forward http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reports/article/102797/Finding-a-Way-Forward.aspx
Journalism, disrupted (interview with J-Source on his Fellowship): http://j-source.ca/article/journalism-disrupted