Community news in small town Canada
And dreaming disruption in what we used to call journalism
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In this newsletter:
Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM) conference - “Revitalizing the Local Media Landscape”
NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Mapping rural news
Six years of Doug Ford
GUEST: Broadcast Map
Rural pride
Rural news roundup (I’ve shortened this up)
Recommendations
Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM) conference
I had the opportunity to attend the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM) conference in Orillia, Ontario at the start of the month. Here’s the program.
I was eager to attend the panel entitled “Revitalizing the Local Media Landscape”.
“The demise of local media is having a significant impact on democracy and elected officials’ ability to connect with community and adhere to legislative requirements . This panel will examine the state of local media including consideration on the revival of local news and information and how this really requires an ecosystem approach, and philanthropy and other approaches can play a critical role through strategic funding.”
Tai Huynh, Founding Editor-in-Chief and Publisher, The Local← This panelist was unable to attend, so John Hammill was there from Village MediaBrian Lambie, President of Redbrick Communications
April Lindgren, Professor, School of Journalism, Toronto Metropolitan University
Will Pearson, Publisher and Editor, Peterborough Currents
I attended the session to:
Hear about Professor Lindgren’s research. She has been mapping the opening and closing of news organizations across Canada for many years.
Hear from Will Pearson, publisher and editor for Peterborough Currents. I’ve followed his work for a few years.
Hear about new revenue models for sustainable community storytelling.
You can read the full post by clicking below.
NEW PODCAST EPISODE: Mapping local news
Six years with Premier Ford
There was also a session at the OSUM conference with the host of TVO’s The Agenda, Steve Paikin, called “Six Years with Premier Ford”.
I found it really comical to be in the room to witness the eye rolling and eye widening as Paikin spoke frankly about Doug Ford’s record. Again, sitting in a room of folks who might typically vote to the right of centre, it was to be expected.
Very much a fangirl as Paikin was held up as a shining example of an unbiased journalist when I was in journalism school.
His memory of past premiers and other politicians (including those in the Ford family) and their antics is always entertaining.
GUEST: Broadcast Map with host Ali Moosa
I had the privilege of being the one interviewed by Ali Moosa, host of the Broadcast Map podcast. We talked about lots of things (he let me rant a bit) and he called it:
“What the future of journalism could look like”
Ali talks to some big names in broadcasting. I was very honoured he reached out to me.
Rural Pride
As we approach Pride month in June, I saw this free training around navigating hate at events (including rural ones) this year. THIS ONE IS TODAY hosted by Egale Canada.
Navigating Anti-2SLGBTQI Hate at Events – A Webinar for 2SLGBTQI Event Organizers
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 | 12:00pm – 1:00pm ET
The Community Based Research Centre also has a running list of locations to access gender affirming care in Canada.
Rural news roundup - May 15, 2024
National
From handknit socks to rural experience, here are ideas for attracting doctors to small towns
British Columbia + Alberta
Alberta funding rural education training at post-secondaries
Saskatchewan + Manitoba
Manitoba, First Nations leaders sign declaration pledging child welfare jurisdictional transfer
Ontario + Quebec
Atlantic Canada
Territories (Northwest, Nunvut, Yukon)
If a fibre line falls in the forest, not many people hear it
Recommendations
Books
Wise friend and municipal leader Alysson Storey recommended this and while I haven’t managed to secure it at my library yet, I take her suggestions seriously!
Weaving her own story with the story of her ancestors and with the broader themes of creation, replacement, and disappearance, Krawec helps readers see settler colonialism through the eyes of an Indigenous writer. Settler colonialism tried to force us into one particular way of living, but the old ways of kinship can help us imagine a different future. Krawec asks, What would it look like to remember that we are all related? How might we become better relatives to the land, to one another, and to Indigenous movements for solidarity? Braiding together historical, scientific, and cultural analysis, Indigenous ways of knowing, and the vivid threads of communal memory, Krawec crafts a stunning, forceful call to "unforget" our history.
Podcasts
Local Edge - Episode 3: Evolution of the demographics in rural communities
I just happened to find this video podcast and happily found what Sarah Thompson, President of Dentsu Media had to say in this episode!
“A place for better understanding and connecting with small communities all across the country. Here we explore the value of these markets to advertisers, agencies, communities, and more. We bring you the latest news, insights and trends from the world of local advertising and marketing.”
CBC Massey Lectures | #1: Cura’s Gift by Astra Taylor
I have recommended this before but listened to it again recently. It is so profound, prolific and thought-provoking. Perfect for our times. (There are more episodes but this one sticks with me.
Insecurity has become a "defining feature of our time," says CBC Massey lecturer Astra Taylor. The Winnipeg-born writer and filmmaker explores how rising inequality, declining mental health, the climate crisis, and the threat of authoritarianism originate from a social order built on insecurity. In her first lecture, she explores the existential insecurity we can’t escape — and the manufactured insecurity imposed on us from above.
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