Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:
- Former Alberta Premier Alison Redford has been in the news lately for her absence from the legislative assembly, and now the local media is being criticized for “verging on tabloid journalism” with their coverage. It does seem a bit over the top. Anyone in her position would need some time to re-energize. That said, she hasn’t done herself any favors by perpetuating the culture of “entitlement” with the way the situation has been handled. What do you think?
- I was very surprised to hear that Julie Matthews is leaving Global Edmonton to become a senior investigator with Service Alberta. Her last day is Friday. Best of luck Julie!
- Congratulations to all the nominees and winners at tonight’s Mayor’s Celebration for the Arts! Prairie Dog Film + Television took home a couple of awards, and CJSR won the John Poole Award for Promotion of the Arts.
- Jonny Sullivan confirmed on Thursday that he was let go from Corus and 92.5 Fresh FM. It’s clear he has formed a connection with Edmonton: “I hope that I can stay here in Edmonton. People talk shit about this city all the time. I have no idea what they have to bitch about. The soul of this city is its people.” Best of luck Jonny!
- Volume 51 Issue 15 was the final issue of Folio, the staff newsletter at the University of Alberta that has been published for nearly 50 years, amassing more than 1,700 issues. Here’s the final issue in PDF. Technology has changed and so must Folio, but thankfully we still celebrate milestones with cake.
- Congratulations to the Edmonton Journal and the Calgary Herald on being named finalists for the 2013 Michener Award for meritorious public service journalism. Their series called Fatal Care earned the nomination. The winners will be announced on June 11.
- This looks like a neat tradition: Purple Thursday is a thing at the Edmonton Journal.
- Sportsnet will broadcast the 2014 World Triathlon Grand Final live from Edmonton in August.
- Sonic Boom has announced its lineup for the 2014 edition, now expanded to three days! Looks like Sonic 102.9 FM has another hit on their hands.
- Want to volunteer for The Gateway? Learn all about it here. Apparently they are also giving away old bound editions.
- Speaking of The Gateway, classes and exams are over, and for some journalists that means goodbye.
- Have you ever wanted to see social media guru Walter Schwabe shave his legs? Here’s your chance – he’s raising money for the Strathcona County Boys and Girls Club.
- The April edition of The Pulp is now online – go check it out!
- What do hockey players do when their season has come to an end? Andrew Ference of the Edmonton Oilers took a turn behind the mic for NBC.
- If you haven’t listened recently, check out the latest episode of Mack & Cheese, my weekly podcast with Graham Hicks. We’ve recently been experimenting with a new format, tackling a few issues each episode instead of just one.
- This is a great article on the need to teach journalist grads the right skills (more tech) but it also has a great list of books to check out at the end.
- Here’s a follow-up to the ongoing story of CBC’s policy on speaking engagements. They’ve introduced a few new measures as a result of the criticism received.
Minister of Health Fred Horne announces Alberta’s new online organ and tissue donor registry
You can follow Edmonton media news on Twitter using the hashtag #yegmedia. For a great overview of the global media landscape, check out Mediagazer.
So, what have I missed? What’s new and interesting in the world of Edmonton media? Let me know!
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