Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:
- Ruth Kelly, president of Venture Publishing, has died at the age of 60. “In the last few years, Venture Publishing struggled, and Kelly along with it.” There was an outpouring of emotion on Twitter after the news broke on Thursday. Go back a little further though, and all you’ll see are angry tweets about Venture Publishing’s inability or unwillingness to pay its freelancers over the last few years. She was outspoken and opinionated, and even got into a Twitter spat with Ezra Levant earlier this year. But she is being remembered for her community involvement and unwavering support of women in business and publishing in particular. Her family has asked for privacy “as we mourn the loss of this extraordinary woman.”
- The CRTC has granted licenses for five radio stations to serve the Indigenous community, including one here in Edmonton. The Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta will broadcast the new station at 89.3 FM, a sister station to CFWE which so far has focused on country music.
- Jana Pruden has announced the launch of The Flat Worms Writing Studio, “a place for emerging and established writers to develop advanced nonfiction writing techniques through high-quality mentorship, workshopping and formal instruction in a supportive environment.” The first workshop kicks off on October 3 and you can apply to participate here by August 1. Jana is working with Richard Kemick, Michael Hingston, and Rick McConnell on the initiative.
- CBC wrote about the closure of Nightlife, the arts and culture posters that have been published ever since Denise Assaly launched the business in 1979. “All the posters and brochures are being donated to the City of Edmonton archives.”
- Blogger Barry Winters “was charged with wilful promotion of hatred on a blog called The Baconfat Papers and other blogs between 2014 and 2016” after an investigation by Edmonton police of more than a year.
- There’s a lot to unpack in this End of the Earth comic by Chad Huculak. I’m not sure whether I should laugh or not!
- Congratulations to Cailynn Klingbeil who is now a writer for the Calgary Public Library!
- Edmonton Quotient is now entertaining pitches from local writers, producers, and journalists. “If you’ve got ideas for a series, a podcast, an event or anything else please also get in touch and start that conversation with us.”
- The National Film Board of Canada is looking for a Production Coordinator here in Edmonton. “You’re passionate about great storytelling, groundbreaking film and digital media, about exploring the issues that matter to you, your community, Canada and the world. So are we.” The deadline to apply is June 23.
- CBC Edmonton is looking for a Weekend Producer. The deadline to apply is July 13.
- Episode 68 of the Seen and Heard in Edmonton podcast features Michael Short of Let’s Go Outdoors with a discussion “about how to make a living in new media.”
- Paul Brown, formerly of 100.3 The Bear, is now co-hosting the morning show on JACK 96.9 in Vancouver. “From 2003 to 2016 he anchored one of Edmonton’s top-rated morning radio shows, entertaining listeners with his fun, and sometimes controversial antics.”
- Jeff Samsonow and Karen Unland are speaking next week at the ATB Entrepreneur Centre about their successes and struggles in starting their businesses. Should be an interesting look at the challenges (and opportunities) facing local journalism startups!
- There’s still time to get your tickets for our first Taproot Edmonton event! We’re discussing urban planning wishes on Wednesday at 7pm at Sugar Swing. Hope to see you there!
Ruth Kelly was chair of EPCOR’s Community Essentials Council back in 2011
And here is some slightly less local media stuff:
- There seems to be an increase in chatter lately about Postmedia, though I don’t think we’ve really learned anything new about its situation. Last Monday, CJR published a piece on Postmedia’s struggles and said “a Postmedia failure would be as if Gannett, Tronc, and McClatchy all simultaneously went bust” in the United States. Paul Adams picked up the thread and wrote that “few people outside the industry understand how central newspapers are to the local news ecosystem” and as a result the demise of Postmedia would be a big problem. Today Postmedia announced that the National Post will be discontinuing its Monday print edition as of July 3 in an effort to cut costs. Expect to hear even more bad news on July 7 when Postmedia holds a conference call for investors.
- From James Edward Murray, co-founder of NewsCart, here’s how AI will shape the future of media.
- The CRTC has announced that as of December 1, 2017, locked phones and carrier unlocking fees are no longer allowed in Canada.
- Microsoft teamed up with the Associated Press to use Power BI for sharing data analysis and visualizations. “The pilot program will enable local and regional news outlets to more easily uncover and report the data-driven local stories most interesting to their audiences through AP’s use of Power BI.”
- Apparently Sean Spicer is “leading a search for his own replacement on the briefing room podium as part of a larger plan to shake up the White House communications operation,” according to a Politico report citing “two people with knowledge of the effort.” I mean, who wouldn’t want that job?
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!
Want to read great stories about Edmonton? Or maybe you’d like to write them? Join Taproot Edmonton and help us ensure that local journalism has a future in our city.
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