BuzzFeed’s search for marginalized writers is progressive, not racist
White men effectively control Canadian journalism. But recent events have shown that’s not enough: any challenge to their dominance must be condemned. On February 18, BuzzFeed senior writer Scaachi Koul tweeted a call for longform writers, particularly those who aren’t white or male. This was a commendable step toward breaking down barriers preventing people from entering, and then […]
20 Black Canadian journalists to celebrate this month (and every month!)
20 Black Canadian journalists to celebrate this month (and every month!) For Black History Month, we compiled a list of reporters who’ve made significant contributions to Canadian journalism. While many are well-known, others are doing substantial work that must be recognized. If there’s a journalist we missed, please contact us and we’ll add him or […]
Journalists are ignoring the real threat to a free press
Canadian journalists have spent the last couple days shooting fish in a barrel and congratulating themselves for it. On Tuesday, The Rebel reported that its journalists were barred from several government events between January 29 and February 3 because Alberta’s department of justice ruled that the publication — started by Ezra Levant — does not produce […]
On the edge of ethics
Most journalists agree that native advertising is a moral void. But in order to boost revenue, the Globe tries to strike the right balance with Globe Edge
In the summer of 2014, The Globe and Mail narrowly avoided an editorial staff strike over native advertising—the practice of working with advertisers to create ads that resemble journalism. A leaked memo from Globe management to the paper’s union proposed a system in which editorial staff would write for advertisers, compromising, in the minds of many Globe reporters, […]
Charm will get you only so far
The new government is more open with reporters, but there’s no guarantee it will keep its promise to fix the flawed ATI act
The video is tightly framed around Justin Trudeau in the middle of a Montreal crowd, days before last fall’s federal election. Off-screen, a reporter’s voice says, “As recently as yesterday evening, your party was defending Mr. Gagnier’s actions—” Trudeau nods “—saying essentially that he played by the rules.” Trudeau nods again, tight-lipped and wide-eyed. Dan […]
Offleash Podcast: Valentine’s Day special
Offleash is the Ryerson Review of Journalism’s first-ever regular podcast, published on RRJ.ca every second Wednesday at 3:33 p.m. (with the exception of today—we’re a few days early to make it on time for Valentine’s Day listeners). In this week’s episode, our multimedia editors Eternity and Allison discuss all things journalism and love. Dan Westell […]
The robots are coming
As the technology of robo-journalism improves, news organizations need to move ahead with caution
We live in an era of self-driving cars and light-up hoverboards. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that robots are starting to replace professions that were once viewed as invaluable—financial advisers, surgeons and reporters all have automated equivalents. This doesn’t mean that all journalists are going to be replaced by typing WALL-E replicas, but it […]
Subsidize or die?
Journalists on social media are crying to the government to save their profession—is this the only solution?
“Should the government get involved?” It’s a question that’s been floating around ever since Canadian journalism decided to spiral down into a black hole of unemployment and goodbye columns. The argument: the loss of print media will create a void where important stories will go, along with the very basis of democracy—accessible information and accountability. […]
Objectively insufficient
A Ryerson School of Journalism debate on objectivity misses the mark
Three established figures in Canadian journalism debated the role of objectivity for over an hour at Ryerson University on Monday, and they managed to completely avoid the most important points. The panel, moderated by distinguished Ryerson professor Bernie Lucht, featured Jim Turk, a distinguished Ryerson professor, Ivor Shapiro, chair of Ryerson’s school of journalism and […]
Ashes to ashes
As industry pressures threaten to crush it, we reflect on Postmedia’s short life of dwindling funds
In 2008, Canwest Global Communications CEO Leonard Asper was perplexed. His business—once Canada’s leading media company—was failing, and he didn’t know why. Canwest stocks, once trading at $20 a share, were down to 60 cents. The purchase of Alliance Atlantis’s broadcast division, widely regarded as a savvy business move, hadn’t brought Canwest the boost he […]
