An interesting post on editorsweblog.org points to discussions in several places about how public journalists can be with personal views. The news hook is a Washington Post guideline for its journalists using social networks. The discussion, predictably, wanders to whether bias is inevitable, always damning, and should be declared. This quote from the editor’s memo,…
With the rise of hyperlocal journalism, mainstream media and small town newspaper chains are facing tough decisions about the future. This Wall Street Journal article last week provides good insight into the challenges facing these small publications. It captures the vitality and raison d’etre for these publications. “At the Register-Star and its trans-Hudson sister, the…
Another hyperlocal news project launched in response to mainstream media’s massive cutbacks. “The new independent Brockville Voice broadsheet weekly, with four former Sun Media employees among the ranks, marks its first month on the streets this Friday, The Toronto Sun Family blog reports. “Jacqui Lysko, editor-in-chief, brings TSF up to date on the Aug. 21…
The Fraser Institute has gone from being regarded by journalists and editors “with suspicion and derision” to its current lofty status “as a go-to source for every major media outlet in Canada,” wrote Geoff Turner in the online magazine The Tyee, in an examination of the think tank’s public relations success –as opposed to the…
Foreign affairs columnist Jonathan Manthorpe wrote an eulogy to the Far Eastern Economic Review, or simply “FEER,” which Dow Jones announced it will close, after gutting it several years previously. “Asia is sadly lacking in authoritative, incisive and independent media, and last week it was announced that it will lose the one publication which for…
The Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission has dismissed nine complaints against the Edmonton Journal and the Calgary Herald, arising from an editorial titled Apocalyptic Creed that both papers published in April 2002. While agreeing the editorial contained offensive statements, Marie Riddle, director of the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission, wrote that given current…
It’s been almost a month since Ontario’s former Attorney General, Michael Bryant, was charged with dangerous driving, and, criminal negligence causing the death of a cyclist, Darcy Allan Sheppard. The fact that Bryant hired a public relations firm which then launched a social media campaign, mostly on Twitter (@Bryantfacts), launched a debate about his ability…
George Hoff shares his experiences as an Ochberg fellow of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma and encourages other Canadian journalists to consider an opportunity to address the many issues surrounding the reporting of violent and traumatic stories.
Alors que Facebook courbe l’échine devant la récente décision de la commissaire canadienne à la vie privée concernant des lacunes en cette matière, le site de socialisation lance un moteur de recherche qui pourrait le transformer en véritable média.
A Sept. 2 decision by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal continues to provoke speculation that the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Canadian Human Rights Commission and provincial human rights bodies will have less to say in future about hate speech and free expression.