• Stack of newspapers curved in s-shape, in black and white

    Seven ways to bail out the government’s journalism bailout

    This story was originally published by The Logic and appears here with its permission. I anguished over whether to weigh in on last week’s $595-million government-aid package for journalism because it’s deeply personal for me.  I’ve spent almost 20 years in traditional media, studied disruption theory in academia and now, I’m an entrepreneur trying to…

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    Globe and Mail public editor: When a private school’s history goes public

    A few readers, graduates of St. Michael’s College, were upset with The Globe and Mail’s coverage of their school these past two weeks. Toronto police are investigating allegations of assault and sexual assault connected to the Catholic boys’ school after receiving multiple videos, and six students have been arrested. These graduates aren’t denying the news…

  • How ‘fake news’ came to Winnipeg 100 years ago

    This article was originally published by the Winnipeg Free Press and appears here with the editor’s permission. Thursday, Nov. 7, 1918 — 100 years ago today — was a pleasant fall day in Winnipeg, with the temperature hovering around 0 C. Based on today’s boundaries, Winnipeg was then a city of about 220,000 and had…

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    Globe and Mail public editor: Is it news or views?

    The attacks on the media continue south of the border, but in this country, I believe readers understand the importance of fair and accurate news coverage. What a few don’t really grasp (based on some of the complaints I receive) is the difference between a fact and an opinion. But before we look at what…

  • CBC/Radio-Canada building

    CBC Ombudsman: Scoop or not

    The complainant, Andrew Douglas, Managing Editor of Frank Magazine, was concerned that CBC News had left the false impression they had broken a story he ran first in his magazine by the use of heated language and references to investigation. While his magazine published first, CBC News had its own tip on the story and…

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    CBC Ombudsman: Tough talk – confrontational interviews

    The complainant, Laura Finsten, was appalled – as were many others – at a question put to a senior Israeli political figure regarding the number of Palestinians killed by the IDF during protests at the Gaza-Israel border. She also thought there was no regard for Israel’s perspective. While the phrasing was harsh, it is legitimate…

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    CBC Ombudsman: Twitter Turmoil

    In April, a man driving a van deliberately ran into civilians on a stretch of Toronto’s Yonge Street. The complainant, Mohamed Jiavdheen, objected to a tweet describing the driver, based on an eyewitness as “Middle Eastern.” He thought it irresponsible to publish that description before the information was verified. While live reporting breaking news will…

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    CBC Ombudsman: Election balance on Ontario today

    The complainant, Marc Poitras, thought the host of Ontario Today behaved differently to the callers on the edition which focused on the Progressive Conservative party, during the recent provincial election. He felt she was rude and dismissive. The host was challenging, as she was during episodes focused on other parties. There was no violation of…