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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…
  • Another round of staff reductions happened at Maclean's magazine on Feb.1, 2017. Image courtesy of Eric Mark Do.

    Maclean’s hit by layoffs

    By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor Rogers Media is eliminating about 13 positions at Maclean’s, according to the union that represents its newsroom. "Maclean's and the public are losing some very talented people who have contributed greatly to our understanding of national affairs," said Brad Honywill, local representative for Unifor Local 87-M, said in an email…
  • The Independent reports on journalist and editor Justin Brake being named in an arrest order. Screenshot by J-Source.

    What led to a journalist covering Muskrat Falls being named in a court order?

    By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor When a group of protesters in Muskrat Falls in Labrador cut the locks on the gate of a controversial hydroelectric project and marched in, journalist Justin Brake followed the story. “I just continued to do my job as a journalist,” he said. As a result, he was among 22 people…

  • Uncharted Journalism Fund will provide $3,000 whole or partial grants four times a year, with the aim of supporting “adventurous” storytelling projects. Screenshot by J-Source.

    How a new B.C. media fund will encourage storytelling innovation

    By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor A group of people in British Columbia are going into uncharted territory to fund new journalism projects. The Uncharted Journalism Fund will provide grants up to $3,000 four times a year, with the aim of supporting “adventurous” storytelling projects, according to a press release. The project is the brainchild of…
  • The Lloydminster Record, an “online news source” created by the City of Lloydminster. Screenshot by J-Source.

    Emails reveal City of Lloydminster staff pushed Record launch in advance of possible local media closures

    By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor City of Lloydminster staff pushed ahead the launch of a city-run “online news source” to September 2016 to start building “credibility” should the city’s Postmedia-owned newspaper, the Lloydminster Meridian Booster, close. Emails obtained through an access to information request by J-Source shed light on the creation of the controversial Lloydminster Record,…

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    The BBC is expanding in Canada

    By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor The BBC’s presence in Canada is about to get bigger. On June 30, the British broadcaster and online media outlet announced plans to launch a Canadian edition of BBC.com and open a three-person bureau in Toronto. Jim Egan, CEO of BBC Global News, said in a statement that the BBC…

  • On their website on June 22, Briarpatch magazine announced it would need $15,000 to continue publishing. Screenshot by J-Source.

    Briarpatch magazine needs $15,000 to keep publishing

    By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor If Briarpatch magazine doesn’t raise $15,000 by July 30, it may have to cease publishing. On June 22, the 43-year-old politics and culture magazine based in Regina, Saskatchewan, announced that it was fundraising to help cover a shortfall that has left editor Tanya Andrusieczko and publisher Rhiannon Ward uncertain about…

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    BuzzFeed Canada closing Ottawa bureau

    By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor BuzzFeed Canada is closing their Ottawa bureau, the Globe and Mail reported June 28. Politics editor Paul McLeod and reporter Emma Loop have been offered the option to relocate to Washington D.C., or severance packages, according to The Globe and Mail’s media reporter James Bradshaw. In a BuzzFeed staff memo provided…

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    Winner of the Michener Award, Fellowships announced

    By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor The recipients of the 2015 Michener Award, the 2016 Michener-Deacon Fellowship and the 2016 Michener-Deacon Fellowship for Journalism Education were announced in Ottawa on June 17. The annual awards honour journalism that makes a significant impact on the public good. Société Radio-Canada’s Enquête won the 2015 Michener Award for its piece…
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    Winners of the National Magazine Awards announced

    By H.G. Watson, Associate Editor The winners of the National Magazine Awards were announced on June 10 in Toronto. Quarterly magazine Maisonneuve was named magazine of the year. Journalist Desmond Cole, writer of “The Skin I’m In” for Toronto Life, was named best new magazine writer.  Photographer Marta Iwanek won best new magazine photographer. For…