OTTAWA, April 22, 2016 /CNW/ - It continues to be an interesting time to be a journalist working in Canadian media, a theme under the lens at the 2016 Canadian Association of Journalists' conference.
At this year's conference, scheduled from May 27-28 at the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, delegates will get a chance to ponder the state of the industry, hear from those who are finding a way to work and continue doing public-interest journalism and tell the CAJ what its role should be on these matters.
The #CAJ16 opening plenary asks what's going on with our industry, with CAJ president Nick Taylor-Vaisey moderating a 90-minute discussion featuring the Edmonton Journal's former editor in chief Margo Goodhand, former Winnipeg Free Press public policy reporter Mary Agnes Welch, Knight Chair at the Missouri School of Journalism Jacqui Banaszynski and Investigative Reporting Workshop founding executive director Charles Lewis.
From there, sessions and panels will feature examples and solutions. Lewis will spearhead a session on how Canadian journalists might find funding for the projects they want to pursue. A panel convened by Unifor will look at the future of local journalism. Delegates will also be challenged with sessions dealing with ethical questions, case studies and best practices along with a skills-based thread of sessions throughout the two days.
One of the final sessions on May 28 will see the CAJ turn the microphone over to delegates, asking them what they feel our role should be in helping journalists get through these changes successfully.
"#CAJ16 will confront the tough times in which we find ourselves. That'll start with the must-see opening plenary and a spirit that infuses the weekend's content," Taylor-Vaisey said. "When you're in the conference halls, come and find me or any CAJ director. Tell us what our advocacy should look like and how it should sound."
Registration is currently open for this two-day conference. The hotel is also offering a conference rate, starting at $110 a night plus taxes and fees. The hotel's conference rates are only guaranteed for four more days.
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 final few pieces of the #CAJ conference program are still being finalized and will be posted as they are confirmed.
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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