Stephanie Girardi was a Spring 2015 departments editor of the RRJ. Journalism by the numbers
We talked to five journalists to find out the stories behind their weeks. It took hours of in-depth interviews to get to the real deep stuff like amount of sleep and social media habits, but it was worth it. Below is a report on our findings. Thanks to our guinea pigs who participated: Jamie Bradburn […]
Unpublishing
On February 21, the Toronto Star pulled its controversial Gardasil investigation offline after weeks of public backlash and outrage. A note from publisher John Cruickshank posted on February 20 said that while the paper remains “committed to this line of reporting, we have concluded that in this case our story treatment led to confusion between […]
Distrust, Disdain, Deceit
The rocky relationship between journalists and activists: why it doesn't work—and how it can
“Cover the riots,” instructed Lisa Gregoire’s editors. Her bosses at the Edmonton Journal had a clear idea of the stories they expected to see from the 2002 G8 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. But when there were no riots to cover, Gregoire started producing articles with headlines such as “Calgary March Proves Critics Wrong,” and “G8 […]
Tech War
In Iraq, on the strangest "stakeout" of my career: a report from the front lines of technology and journalism
A red-hot email alerted me: my CBS television news team had to mobilize fast. We left Baghdad in a convoy of SUVs, with the all-important satellite truck, SAT phones, and laptops heading for Tikrit, where Saddam Hussein had been captured. Only a few hours later, our genius satellite truck operator got us on the air […]
Blogging the Spotlight
Critics say bloggers are lazy, arrogant, and never leave the house. In reality, some of the best are revolutionizing journalism
Just before last June’s federal election, Canadian blogger Andrew Coyne asked his readers to show their cards. “Your predictions, please, for the number of seats each party will win,” he posted. “I’ll take the average of everyone’s predictions and we’ll test the ‘wisdom of crowds’ hypothesis.” Coyne, a political columnist for the National Post, was […]
Drawing the Line
There are many subjects writers can discuss in the The Canadian Jewish News. Criticizing the security policies of the Israeli government is not one of them
They had fire in their eyes and torches in their hands. They were young and furious. They wanted the world to know the depth of their anger toward Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister who planned to withdraw troops from the Gaza Strip and close down the settlements he had once so actively encouraged. While […]
Crossing the Line
There are many comments that writers can make in Arab2000. But should anti-Semitic remarks really be one of them?
Inside the Toronto offices of Arab2000, one of Canada’s leading Arab-language newspapers, discussions of current events are always taking place. Last fall, far from the Middle East’s most volatile zones, I spent several days speaking to the people responsible for directing the five-year-old community paper. Not surprisingly, suicide bombing was a dominant topic – it […]
Look who’s reading now
Special sections such as the Edmonton Journal's ed are designed to capture younger audiences. But as readers age, will they make the jump from hot flicks to politics?
If there were a People’s Choice Award for Canadian newspapers, the ed magazine office would have a shelf lined with trophies. Currently, though, the only way to win awards in the print industry is to produce articles that are accurate, analytical, well-researched, and timely. With headlines and teasers such as “Whaddya call the gym bunny?” […]
Whip It Out
Sex sells. And that's why you'll be hard-pressed to find much discussion of serious issues amidst the soft-core porn in Canada's gay press
A model leans on the kitchen counter of photographer Lindsay Lozon’s studio waiting to be shot for fab. He wears only hot-pink briefs with black polka dots from Seduction Erotic Boutique, a thick white belt, a slim tie, a wristband, Kangol sneakers, and a straight face. The muscles on his lean, hairless body are accentuated […]
Armed and Glamourous
"Fashion editors may look like Barbie," says Flare's Lisa Tant. "But we're GI Joe underneath." Meet one of the toughest
On the red carpet, tattoo-touting Bif Naked makes it past the assembly line of photographers, videographers, and entertainment reporters. The Canadian rocker, in a vintage black cocktail dress, Manolo Blahnik shoes, and Paul Frank boys’ underwear, heads toward the hostess. Lisa Tant stands in front of an archway that leads to Flare‘s 25th anniversary party […]
