OTTAWA, April 26, 2016 /CNW/ - Local journalism and local news will be under discussion next month at the 2016 Canadian Association of Journalists' conference.
#CAJ16, scheduled from May 27-28 at the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, will feature several opportunities where delegates can reflect upon and hear about the challenges and opportunities facing local news in today's marketplaces.
Leading the discussion on that thread is a panel featuring representatives from the two unions that represent a plurality of journalists working under collective agreements in Canada – Unifor and the Canadian Media Guild. Unifor's media sector director Howard Law, the Toronto Star's Jayme Poisson and CMG's president Carmel Smyth will tackle the importance local news still holds in the Canadian media landscape, even as it suffers from the decisions ownership groups make. Other guests may join this panel in the weeks ahead.
"Local news is a foundation for journalism in every community," CAJ president Nick Taylor-Vaisey said. "These journalists are the ones tackling what's happening in our own backyards, keeping us informed about what's happening down the street and – by and large – the only ones in a watchdog role at your municipal council."
Registration is currently open for this two-day conference.
For those intending to stay at the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, today is the last day for guaranteed conference rates, which start at $110 plus taxes and fees for a single room. The rates may be available after today as long as there are rooms available.
Fees for #CAJ16 start at $249 plus HST for CAJ members for the full weekend, including a ticket to the conference banquet and gala. Rates for unemployed journalists and CAJ student member start at $75. Discounts are available for CAJ Award finalists as well those registering in a group. These rates will rise on May 20.
The CAJ is Canada's largest national professional organization for journalists from all media, representing over 600 members across the country. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide public-interest advocacy and high-quality professional development for its members.
SOURCE Canadian Association of Journalists
Nick Taylor-Vaisey, CAJ president, 647-968-2393, [email protected]; Hugo Rodrigues, #CAJ16 conference chair, [email protected]; Dale Bass, CAJ events committee chair, [email protected]; Registration questions can be sent to: [email protected]; www.caj.ca/caj16 | www.facebook.com/CdnAssocJournalists | www.twitter.com/CAJ
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