Some Straight Talk on Vancouver’s Weekly Newspaper War
WestEnder publisher James Craig puts Georgia Straight publisher Dan McLeod on notice. We're the new alternative, says Craig. Nonsense, says McLeod. Our reporter keeps score
James Craig, a balding middle-aged man in a blue sweater and thick, black-framed glasses, peers furtively through venetian blinds. He motions for me to come closer. “See that yellowish building?” He’s pointing down busy West Broadway in the trendy South Granville district just outside downtown Vancouver. “Right next to that is going to be their […]
It’s Not News to Her
How Canadian correspondent Samantha Bee sinks her barbs into The Daily Show's satire
“Is there a Mrs. Anti-Gay Crusader in your life?” The reporter sitting across from Palm Beach congressional candidate Ed Heeney seems determined to get her question answered. Heeney, his tropical shirt drenched in sweat, raises his eyebrows. The slender reporter, dirty blonde hair neatly tucked behind her head, a light pink shirt peeking through a […]
Drawn In
It's often hard work for little pay, but David Collier combines his love of reporting and drawing in an increasingly popular genre—comics journalism
I recognize David Collier’s face immediately. The self-portrait illustrations in his comic books are remarkably accurate, although the three-dimensional version standing before me is taller and better built than I expected. After shaking hands, we head outside to the rainy streets of Hamilton. The short walk from the bus terminal to Collier’s home studio unfolds […]
Drawing the Line
CBC editorial staff discover the benefits of solidarity with other groups of workers, like technicians and marketing staff, during the lockout
On John Corcelli’s first day back in the CBC Broadcast Centre, the atmosphere was different from two months ago. Employees had begun the day with a victory parade around the building, complete with bagpipes, banjos and congratulations from union leaders. Corcelli missed the parade, but walked inside with a heavy feeling in his stomach. “I […]
I Do
A new magazine emerges in Canada to help gay and lesbian couples plan their weddings
When Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell planned to get married in January 2001 at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, they faced all the usual dilemmas. They worried about the caterers. They worried about the florists. They worried about the reservations. Except for one difference – they weren’t preoccupied about which businesses to choose, but […]
Battling the abstract
In reviewing modern art, the first step is a response
What the heck is a psychotope? I’m looking at a press release for an upcoming group show called Psychotopes at the YYZ Gallery. Not only is the event within the circulation area of the community newspaper where I work as an arts editor, but it looks like the subject matter might be local as well […]
The Great Canadian Conan Craze
O'Brien gets far more attention north of the border
This is the first thing I see when I open up my email one Wednesday morning in January: “Hey, you might want to write in and double our chances!” My boyfriend has caught Conan O’Brien fever, a highly contagious affliction that has swept across the GTA. Symptoms include compulsive email checking, fingers permanently crossed for […]
Journalism Goes Hollywood
Hollywood's treatment of the media may skew audience perceptions of the profession, but one thing's for sure: journalists on screen make for compelling characters
The trailer for Veronica Guerin is jam-packed with action. Bullets fly and cars speed through the streets against a backdrop of chilling music. At one point, Cate Blanchett as reporter Veronica Guerin says of risking her life, “I don’t want to do it, I have to do it.” The ominous tagline flashes across the screen: […]
The Journalism Bloggingspiel
Blogs are becoming a new form of journalism: serious and up-to-date but are they always reliable?
Like any self-respecting journalist, Tony Walsh has a ritual for soaking up the day’s news. Every morning, Walsh (at www.clickableculture.com) pours himself out of bed, pours a cup of coffee and pores over 24 of his favourite blogs. As a blogger and freelance writer for Shift’s online magazine and Exclaim! magazine, it’s his job to […]
Hip-Hop Blues
Reporting on a musical genre and culture that many believed to be just a "fad" only a decade ago, an abundance of hip-hop magazines now flood newsstands. But do any of them contain any journalistic credibility?
In all likelihood, writing and editing hip-hop magazines won’t instantly unlock the door to the “bling bling .” It’s harder than it seems, as it presupposes different skills. According to Kristen Asklund, who contributes toUnderground Sound Magazine, an online urban magazine, in order to be successful a writer needs “a good handle on hip-hop terminology, […]
