Media Monday Edmonton: Update #245

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

• CANADALAND has now picked up the story about Venture Publishing’s trouble paying freelancers. Apparently the situation is even worse than that though, with frozen accounts, the loss of health benefits, and an erratic publishing schedule all being alleged. Omar Mouallem shared his thoughts on Facebook, writing “VP was a major pilar of Alberta’s already small media industry and it’s clearly in the dust.”
• John Baker, former Managing Editor and Producer at CBC Edmonton, has passed away. “Wonderful man, journalist & friend” tweeted Janice Johnston. “A solid journalist, great boss and incredible family man” tweeted Matt McClure.
• Nominations for the 68th National Newspaper Awards are out. The Edmonton Journal and Metro Edmonton were both nominated for their coverage of the Fort McMurray wildfire. The winners will be announced in Toronto on May 5.
• The Journal’s Larry Wong has received a CAJ nomination for his 2016 portfolio. It’s his 7th nomination!
• Episode 62 of the Seen and Heard in Edmonton podcast features Trisha Estabrooks and Alex Zabjek, the two women behind the new podcast The Broadcast, a show about women and politics in Alberta.
• Here are the latest blog and podcast roundups from Seen and Heard in Edmonton.
• Here’s a collection of photos from The Yards’ Spring 2017 Salon all shot by Zach Polis.
• Congratulations to Lincoln Ho, the new social media coordinator for the Archdiocese of Edmonton.
• Chris Falconer has started a new podcast called Open Up And Om. He aims to “introduce the Edmonton community to some of its amazing people, who all share a passion for yoga.”
• I used to have a smaller but similar collection of mugs as Mike Sobel does. I wonder how many old media mugs are still being used? Any favorites?
• From Eighteen Bridges: “After a year-long hiatus, we’re pleased to announce that our 10th issue will be published at the end of April.”
• Avenue Magazine is looking for an Assistant Editor. The deadline to apply is March 31.
• Accessible Media Inc. is looking for a Bureau Producer here in Edmonton.
• The Alberta Federation of Labour is looking for a Director of Communications. The deadline to apply is March 29.
• You can see Shaw TV Edmonton’s videos here. Karen did an interview about Taproot recently!

Bridget Ryan doing her thing at Western Canada Fashion Week, photo by Lindsay Thompson Photography

And here is some slightly less local media stuff:

• Postmedia issued layoff notices for 54 people (including 29 journalists) at the Vancouver Sun and the Province on Friday, prompting care packages from journalists across Canada. The layoffs come on the heels of 38 additional buyouts at the two papers in January.
• Rogers and Bell are planning to charge bars and restaurants more for the right to show Sportsnet and TSN. “Restaurant Canada says it is fielding questions from bar and restaurant owners and is trying to take action on behalf of its 30,000 members.”
• From Cartt.ca: “On the first day of the CRTC’s hearing into new licences for Aboriginal radio stations in several large Canadian markets, it heard there are a number of ways urban Indigenous people can be served.”
• Subway has filed a lawsuit seeking $210 million in damages against the CBC after a Marketplace report aired that alleged 50% of the chicken used in Subway sandwiches is actually soy.
• Lucky Peach has confirmed it is folding. After the May issue there will be just one more issue published, “a crazy double issue in the fall”.

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!

You can see past Media Monday Edmonton entries here.