TORONTO, Oct. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - In Canada's new era of truth and reconciliation, what is the state of media coverage of Indigenous affairs? Has coverage shifted from niche media to the mainstream? Is it improving? The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) explores these questions in its J-Talk panel, Beyond Missing and Murdered Women: Covering Indigenous Communities on November 3 in Toronto.
"In the past three years, there has been a fundamental shift in not only the number of Indigenous stories in mainstream media but also in the type of stories," says Connie Walker, an investigative reporter with CBC News, one of the panellists. "We are no longer only turning our attention to First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities during times of crisis and conflict, we are increasingly hearing Indigenous voices in all stories and on all platforms. And that can only lead to even better coverage."
Presented in partnership with Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) and sponsored by Ryerson University's School of Journalism, the four-person panel will explore the impact of ground-level changes—the creation of dedicated beats, units, internships and university courses—intended to bring greater awareness to the history and challenges faced by Indigenous communities.
Walker, a Cree raised on the Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan, will be joined by: Lenny Carpenter, program manager of the Indigenous Reporters Program for JHR and a member of the Attawapiskat First Nation; Karyn Pugliese, executive director of News and Current Affairs for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and a member of the Algonquin First Nation of Pikwàkanagàn; and Toronto Star reporter Tanya Talaga, who has worked on its award-winning series on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and whose forthcoming book, Seven: Racism, Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City, delves into the disappearances and deaths of seven indigenous Thunder Bay, Ont., high school students from remote First Nations communities. Talaga is of mixed ancestry. Her grandmother is a member of Fort William First Nation.
Duncan McCue, host of Cross Country Checkup (CBC Radio One), will moderate the discussion. McCue is Anishinaabe, a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation in southern Ontario, and is the creator of an online guide for journalists, Reporting in Indigenous Communities.
JHR recently released its report Buried Voices: Changing Tones, an examination of media coverage of Indigenous issues in Ontario. Talaga, McCue and Walker were contributors to the report, and Carpenter was the editor.
The discussion is part of the CJF J-Talks series, exploring issues and challenges shaping journalism. The CJF is grateful for the generosity of J-Talk series sponsor BMO Financial Group and in-kind supporters CNW and CPAC.
WHEN: Thursday, November 3 | Discussion: 7:00 p.m. | Reception: 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Eaton Lecture Theatre (RCC 204), Rogers Centre of Communications, Ryerson University, 80 Gould St., Toronto
General Admission: $15
Register now
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About The Canadian Journalism Foundation
Founded in 1990, The Canadian Journalism Foundation promotes excellence in journalism by celebrating outstanding journalistic achievement. Our signature events include an annual awards program featuring a must-attend annual industry gala where Canada's top newsmakers meet Canada's top news people. Through J-Talks, our popular speaker's series, we facilitate dialogue among journalists, business people, academics and students about the role of the media in Canadian society and the ongoing challenges for media in the digital era. The foundation also supports journalism websites J-Source.ca (English) and ProjetJ.ca (French) and fosters opportunities for journalism education, training and research.
SOURCE Canadian Journalism Foundation
Image with caption: "The Canadian Journalism Foundation's upcoming talk features (from left) Lenny Carpenter, program manager of the Indigenous Reporters Program with Journalists for Human Rights; Karyn Pugliese, executive director of News and Current Affairs for APTN; Tanya Talaga, reporter with the Toronto Star; and Connie Walker, investigative reporter with CBC News. Duncan McCue, host of CBC Radio One's Cross Country Checkup, will moderate the event on November 3. (CNW Group/Canadian Journalism Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161018_C2843_PHOTO_EN_797564.jpg
Natalie Turvey, Executive Director, The Canadian Journalism Foundation, 416-955-0396, [email protected]
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