What is happening in Canadian media? From layoffs to strikes, from the end of a paper published since 1874 to more layoffs, it seems as though our news sources have been on the chopping block all month. The Postmedia layoffs hit Edmonton the hardest and two very different newspapers now share a newsroom. Although they will retain their distinct branding it might not be long before Edmonton has only one newsroom and one newspaper.
The Edmonton Journal lost two incredible editors in Margo Goodhand and Stephanie Coombs, and is now managed by Lorne Motley, former editor of the Calgary Herald. Here we have collected a few articles on the cuts from a variety of news sources. Good journalism, like good books, requires our investment and we hope this list will help us all stay alert to and aware of the impact of these decisions.
Postmedia Layoffs
CANADALAND: Read a copy of the memo sent by Paul Godfrey to employees.
The CBC: AU Press author and Carleton University journalism professor, Chris Waddell talks about the layoffs.
Toronto Star: “But at least Edmonton and Calgary each had two rival newspapers and they kept each other on their toes, not wanting to miss anything that the other may have covered.” –Gillian Steward.
Alberta Politics: “If I were to bet on what will happen next, it would be that Postmedia will soon tire of the cost of printing two separate editions of the same material on two different sizes of paper.” –David Climenhaga.
rabble: “There are opportunities there for young, bright, motivated, energetic journalists to grab that piece of market and actually do decent journalism.” –Ivor Shapiro quoted by Teuila Fuatai.
Metro News: David Friend talks Paul Godfrey.
The Walrus: “The shrinking newspaper industry means there will be fewer resources available for holding government and business to account—especially when it comes to the big, complicated investigative stories that just can’t be done by local broadcast media, or clickbait-oriented web sites.” –Jon Kay.
J-Source: “While newspapers are on the decline, journalism doesn’t have to be.” –Romayne Smith Fullerton.
The Globe and Mail: “What vital stories will go unreported at Edmonton City Hall when there’s only one full-time reporter on the beat? How many scandals will go unnoticed in Calgary, where 25 jobs have been lost in the merging of the Sun and Herald newsrooms?” –Simon Houpt.
We will be looking for some good news for Canadian media in the coming weeks. Until then, more cuts are promised in the coming weeks. Around 200 jobs will be slashed throughout television, radio, publishing, and administration at Rogers Communications. Layoff notices at the Chronicle Herald have been suspended due to striking employees. The Guelph Mercury just ended the print edition of its newspaper. The last print issue was circulated on January 29. January 29 also brought the end of the Nanaimo Daily News, a paper that has been published since 1874.
Don’t panic. There’s something we can do.
Tweet your “favourite local voices” to the Canadian Association of Journalists (@caj) to help promote the work of great journalists and to thank them for their contribution.
You can read and support independent news sources like rabble.ca and the Tyee.
Keep reading. And notice how much you rely on traditional journalism outlets for information, investigation, and perspective.
