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    Memo: John Boynton named Torstar President and CEO and Toronto Star Publisher

    The following memo was sent to Torstar staff on Mar. 3, 2017, from John Honderich, Chair, Torstar.  I am pleased to announce that John Boynton has been named today as President and Chief Executive Officer of Torstar and as Publisher of the Toronto Star, effective March 31, 2017. Mr. Boynton succeeds David Holland, who announced last…

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    Toronto Star Public Editor: Democracy depends on confidential sources

    By Kathy English for the Toronto Star It would be ideal if every person who has something important – and largely, secret — to reveal to the public through the media about matters of public interest could be fully identified. Clearly, readers would prefer that: numerous credibility studies tell us readers most believe news reports…

  • Robert Washburn, professor of journalism at Loyalist College, and Gretchen King, PhD candidate and community media advocate, discuss their research at the Journalism in Crisis book launch panel at the Ryerson School of Journalism Feb. 9. Photo courtesy of Steph Wechsler.

    News needs of smaller communities require special attention, researcher says

    By Steph Wechsler for the Ryerson Journalism Research Centre The ongoing discussion about the state of Canadian news media tends to overlook what’s happening in smaller communities, local news advocate Robert Washburn said during a recent presentation at the Ryerson School of Journalism. Community-based newsrooms, including local television and community-run radio stations, are deeply rooted…

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    ‘Reflect hard’ on Star Touch, outgoing CEO says

    By The Canadian Press The outgoing CEO of Torstar says his replacement will have to review how much more money to invest in Star Touch, the Toronto Star’s tablet edition that was intended to capture more readers when it launched a year and a half ago. David Holland offered some parting advice during Torstar’s quarterly…

  • Scholars, journalists and educators from around the world will gather in Toronto this spring to discuss the state of local journalism.

    Toronto conference will explore local news woes and solutions

    By Jasmine Bala for the Ryerson Journalism Research Centre Scholars, journalists and educators from around the world will gather in Toronto this spring to discuss the state of local journalism, develop new research initiatives and explore solutions for communities that are underserved in terms of access to local news. “Is no local news bad news?…
  • Despite newsroom layoffs, great photojournalism can still be seen. Here’s why. Photo courtesy of Patrick Fulgencio.

    Down, but not out of the picture

    By Patrick Fulgencio for The Signal When Canon Inc. announced one of its higher-end cameras in 2013, the advertising campaign sought to catch the attention of amateur photographers. Nearly every advertisement and product description had two recurring elements. The first was crisp images of the camera. The second was a slogan that read: “Revoke your…
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    The last days of the Guelph Mercury

    By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor Over its 149-year history, the Guelph Mercury was an acclaimed local newspaper. The careers of many journalists who went on to do bigger things were fostered there; the staff won a National Newspaper Award in 2010; and they consistently dug deep into local stories. Phil Andrews was the managing editor at the…
  • Journalists struggle to get Canada’s prison agencies talking. Photo courtesy of Julianne Steeves.

    The right to remain silent?

    By Julianne Steeves for The Signal Early to rise, hard labour and frequent beatings – that was an inmate’s life at the Kingston Penitentiary during the 1840s. Prisoners – men, women and children – were silent 24 hours a day. Breaking the silence could lead to a beating. Food was scarce, partly because the kitchen…