Office space: the story behind newspaper buildings
As more and more journalism moves online, do the headquarters of publications still matter?
In the city of Metropolis, one building stands out from the rest. It’s a beacon of hope and a symbol of enduring truth—and it’s entirely fictitious. But the Daily Planet headquarters, where Clark Kent works as a reporter, is nevertheless a powerful reminder of all that newspaper buildings used to be. Crowned with an enormous […]
Polar vortex meme shows journalists don’t have the weather down to a science
When reporters sacrifice accuracy for readership and retweets, they deserve cold criticism
A retired Pennsylvania State University academic is “mad as hell” at journalists for getting the story so wrong during January’s record-breaking chilly temperatures. “The broadcasters and bloggers who introduced ‘polar vortex’ into the discussion of Arctic outbreaks this January made a giant, unscientific leap,” former lecturer and forecaster Lee Grenci wrote on a Penn State […]
Are letters to the editor still worth reading?
Although readers once cherished getting their words published in their favourite newspaper, the page’s migration online means more content and less substance
When Bob Dylan brought his Christian gospel tour to Toronto’s Massey Hall in 1980, he didn’t play his popular songs from before 1979. The ensuing controversy carried over to newspapers, where Toronto Sun reader Douglas Greenwood wrote a letter to the editor, reminding people of Dylan’s Jewish heritage. Some of Greenwood’s comments, such as, “If he is […]
Athletes increasingly jump from the podium to the Olympic broadcast booth
Two-time Olympic medallist Jennifer Heil is used to performing under the lights with her ski goggles and skis strapped on. But this month, as a commentator for CBC’s Sochi Olympics broadcast, the former freestyle moguls skier performed by analyzing the event in which she competed four years ago. Heil isn’t the only athlete to turn […]
Stars and Stripes: how entertainment journalism forsakes homegrown stories in favour of U.S. ones
From celebrated indie bands to acclaimed actors and directors, Canadian artists are making us proud. So why are our dailies still obsessed with Americans?
A rumoured Lady Gaga-Katy Perry feud. Johnny Depp to quit acting? American singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth writes a cheeky song about disgraced politician Anthony Weiner. These are just some of the stories I wrote last summer during my six-week internship in the arts section of the National Post. During my final week, I finally […]
In-house plagiarism: is it ever okay to steal another reporter’s words?
When a Toronto Star intern copied chunks of a colleague’s article, it became clear that many journalists were confused about how to use internal material
On October 28, 2010, Toronto Star staff reporter Daniel Dale wrote a clever lead for his article about vanity licence plates: “You may be a Budweiser-guzzling ex-cop stripper who worships Buddha, carries a pistol, uses Viagra and supports Barack Obama, fine. Just don’t you dare mention any of those facts on your licence plate.” On […]
Staying Alive: how the Town Crier started dancing to its own beat
Going independent saved a Toronto community newspaper and moved its writers closer to its readers
“The rumours of our death were exaggerated,” announced the Town Crier in its September 2013 issue. The Toronto community newspaper’s parent company, Multimedia Nova, had gone into receivership in May, but five former employees bought and resurrected the publication by the end of July. “It’s always been our view the Crier could sell its advertising […]
The Most Tales: Harvey Cashore
Harvey Cashore, senior producer of CBC’s investigative unit, tells the Review about an unlikely call that could have cost him his job.
