Access to Information Act turns 30

Canada’s federal Access to Information Act celebrates its 30th anniversary this month. The law received royal assent on July 7, 1982 and came into force almost one year later, on Canada Day 1983. In recognition of this milestone, the Office of the Information Commissioner announced that it will launch an in-depth assessment of the Act in order to address some of the current issues surrounding government transparency and accountability in Canada. Read more »

CPF update: Publishers to receive funding notice this month

Publishers who applied to the Aid to Publishers (ATP) component of the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) will receive a letter at some point this month indicating funding amounts to be awarded for the 2012-2013 period. Grant money has been allocated based on the transition plan laid out in the ATP funding formula which is being implemented gradually over three years, of which 2012-2013 is the second year. Unlike last year’s two-payment strategy, grant recipients for 2012-2013 will receive their full amounts in a single payment. Read more »

Research shows young adults read newspapers

Eight in 10 young adults aged 18 to 34-years-old read a newspaper brand each week according to a research study performed by Totum Research on behalf of Newspapers Canada. Of the young adults surveyed, more than half read a print newspaper, more than half read a newspaper website, and almost half read newspaper content on their mobile phone. Read more »

NewsTrain sessions cover social media, video, FOI and more

On September 13-14, Newspapers Canada and Metroland Media Group are teaming up with Associated Press Media Editors (APME) to bring the renowned NewsTrain training series to Toronto. The two-day training event features numerous workshops on a variety of editorial topics including shooting and creating compelling video stories, filing effective FOI requests, creating brands and reaching new audiences through social media, digital resources for mobile journalists, and planning content for multiple platforms. Read more »

The Guardian celebrates 125th anniversary

The Guardian in Prince Edward Island is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The paper first launched on July 2, 1887 as a weekly publication titled The Island Guardian. Now owned by TC Media, the newspaper was subject to a variety of name changes over the years including the Morning Guardian, Charlottetown Guardian and Guardian of the Gulf. Read more »

Postmedia and Workopolis team up on new career channels for newspaper websites

Postmedia Network is partnering with Workopolis, Canada’s largest online career recruitment website, to provide new career channels for its daily newspaper websites. Over 30,000 new jobs from Workopolis will be displayed on 10 Postmedia newspaper websites as a result of the joint initiative. The co-branded career channels are scheduled to launch in the fall. Read more »

Manitouwadge Echo (ON) to close

In Ontario, Manitouwadge Printers Ltd. has announced that it will be cease ublication of The Echo effective August 1st, 2012. While the paper remains for sale, publisher Bunny Schermann and her son, editor Scott Schermann, have made the decision to close the 48-year-old paper. The last print edition of The Echo will be published on July 25, 2012. Read more »

Rick O’Connor has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Black Press Group Ltd. In his newly expanded role at the company, O’Connor will oversee Black Press Group operations in Canada and the United States, with all regional and division presidents reporting directly to him. Read more »

Veteran news writer Dennis Bell passed away on June 27 at age 69. Bell began his writing career at the Calgary Herald and went on to work for numerous news outlets including the Vancouver Times, The Globe and Mail, the Vancouver Province and BCTV. Read more »

Edmonton-based writer Darren Zenko lost his battle and passed away on July 4 at age 38. Zenko began his writing career at the University of Alberta as a staff member at The Gateway student newspaper. He went on to work as a freelance proof-reader and video game and culture writer for The Edmonton Journal. More recently, Zenko was writing for the Toronto Star as a video-game reviewer. Read more »

Vernon Oickle, editor of the Lunenburg County Progress Bulletin in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, has been awarded a Golden Quill Award, the top accolade presented annually by the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE). Oickle, who previously worked at The Liverpool Advance from 1980 to 1994, is the third Canadian community newspaper editor to receive the international honour. Read more »

Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) has awarded media lawyer Dan Henry with the 2012 Vox Libera Award. Henry, who retired earlier this year after working as CBC legal counsel for over 30 years, was honoured for his life-long commitment to promoting and defending media freedom. Read more »