Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

• Here are some thoughts on the shuttering of local news from CKUA CEO Ken Regan. “Acquiring and distributing reliable, fact-based news content in any professional media organization is labour intensive and expensive,” he wrote. “Real news after all does not arrive at the doorstep of the media.”
• While I think suggesting Ezra Levant’s The Rebel “has become one of Albertans’ top Internet sources of reporting and commentary in just its first year in operation” is a bit of a stretch, Lorne Gunter makes some great points about the NDP’s apparent actions to prevent The Rebel from participating in media events. “It is very dangerous in a free society to give politicians, bureaucrats or government lawyers the power to determine who is and isn’t a journalist,” he wrote.
• There’s a celebration of the life of Dave “Crash” Cameron taking place on Tuesday at 7pm at Cook County Saloon. You can learn more and share your memories here.
• Tom Braid has announced that his last day at the Edmonton Sun will be February 19. “Gonna miss the pace and the craziness of being in the middle of the Tabloid tornado that was the Edmonton Sun photo the past 28 years (26 years in helping to or running this award winning department),” he wrote.
• Mike Ross wrote about his 25 years of covering music at the Edmonton Sun.
• After 12 years at City Hall, Gordon Kent is now taking on the role of business reporter at the Journal, replacing Bill Mah who was let go during last month’s cuts.
• Congratulations to Amber Bracken and Ryan Jackson on being nominated in the 2015 National Pictures of the Year Awards.
• CTV Edmonton’s new weekend anchor team, Dan Grummett and Shanelle Kaul, debuted on Saturday. Here’s more on the duo.
• Mont Thirty, “Edmonton’s premiere photography-based magazine”, is launching on Saturday, February 27. “Created and designed right here locally by three photographers, Dexter Da Silva, Redd Angelo, and Chan Rin (Vivid Ribbon Photography and Founder of UrbanYEG), Mont Thirty is a bi-monthly magazine that features the top 30 photos in each issue.” The first issue is slated to be distributed in mid-March.
• Episode 29 of the Seen and Heard in Edmonton podcast features Lori Godin, the woman behind Frugal Edmonton Mama, among other sites.
• The local film & television industry has been in the news recently. Some feel with the low Canadian dollar that we should be able to attract more productions. Council discussed the issue and decided (surprise, surprise) to gather more information about the film commissioner role and office before making any changes.
• The First Kiss and other Rites of Passage, a ten-part documentary series filmed on location in Edmonton, Fort McMurray, and Grand Prairie, launched on TELUS Optik on Thursday.
• APTN is “readying an offbeat new Canadian sitcom based on the webseries Delmer & Marta” which was shot in Edmonton and features Aboriginal actors and comedians Sheldon Elter and Howie Miller.
• A new podcast from the Edmonton City as Museum Project launched on Thursday. For now they have committed to a three-part pilot, but I hope it sticks around longer than that!
• The St. Albert Gazette is looking for an assistant editor.
• The Aboriginal Commission on Human Rights & Justice held a dialogue on the role of media in reconciliation on Friday.
• To help celebrate Family Day, here’s a look at how parenthood changed the Global Edmonton family.

Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism, announces $10 million in funding to support non-profits, photo by Premier of Alberta

And here is some slightly less local media stuff:

• Here are Linda’s latest social media notes. Looks like it was a busy week for Twitter news, with much fretting about the algorithmic timeline, now in beta.
• Rogers Media has begun the 200 job cuts they announced last month. And according to The Huffington Post Canada, Canadian Business magazine “may be on the verge of closing its doors after 87 years.”
• Sirius XM Canada might be going private in deal that values it at $750 million, or it might have been approached with a takeover deal.
• This one is on my “to read” list for the week: Inside Harvey Levin’s TMZ.
• From Poynter: How BuzzFeed built an investigative team inside a viral hit factory.
• If print is dead and digital isn’t the future, is there a viable economic model for a written news product? If your worldview depends on advertising, then perhaps not.

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.

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

• ICYMI: Here is Margo Goodhand’s article on Postmedia, an “inside look at the damage being done to Canada’s newspapers.”
• Sheila Pratt is the latest to announce her departure from the Edmonton Journal (as mentioned last week). And just a few days before that, it was Karen Kleiss who announced she’s leaving both the Journal and journalism itself.
• But here’s a bit of good news: Liane Faulder is back at the Journal on a part-time basis full-time, splitting her efforts between food and features. “I’ll still be doing food notes on Wednesdays, and my weekday blog so that people know what’s up on the culinary scene,” she wrote on Facebook. Just this evening I was speaking to someone who cancelled their subscription because Liane had been let go, so this is welcome news indeed.
• Ryan Jackson, who was let go from the Journal after nearly 9 years, is blogging about his time at The Journal.
• The Gateway, the official student newspaper at the University of Alberta, has decided to cease weekly printing and will focus instead on digital and online, augmented by a monthly print magazine. The final weekly print issue of The Gateway will appear around campus on April 6. The Gateway “has filled University of Alberta newspaper racks since 1910” but “will now be optimized and prioritized for consistent, daily online consumption in the 2016–17 publishing year.” Here’s what the Gateway going digital means for campus media, according to J-Source.
• Nominees have been announced for the 2016 Alberta Magazine Awards. Congrats to all! The winners will be announced at a gala event on March 3.
• Episode 28 of the Seen and Heard in Edmonton podcast features Ben Proulx and Dan Taylor, the comics behind 30 Minute Week.
• The City of Edmonton is looking for two Social Marketing Coordinators to join its Community Relations team.
• 93.1 The One FM in Leduc is looking for a Program Director / On Air Personality.
• Edmonton Ice Road Trucker Mike “Bad Apple” Simmons is shooting another season of the popular History Channel show. New episodes will being airing in August.
• Here’s a clip of CFRN-TV’s Popcorn Playhouse from 1978, courtesy of Vintage Edmonton. The popular kids variety show was resurrected by CTV a couple of years ago as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations.
• From Josh Hickmore in The Gateway: Local TV news offers little more than superficialities.
• Global Edmonton’s Morning News crew had a little dance party recently. Well, everyone except Slav!

Minister Deron Bilous speaks to the media at NAIT last week, photo by Premier of Alberta

And here is some slightly less local media stuff:

• In Linda’s latest social media notes, she links to all the Twitter news and points out that Instagram now lets you toggle between different accounts.
• Here’s a memo sent to Postmedia staff last week by CEO Paul Godfrey in which he wrote “the Toronto Star has made several scurrilous claims about our company, its investors and our products.”
• For a somewhat more optimistic take on the state of the newspaper business, check out Stephen Kimber’s piece for The Walrus. “The more I see what’s happening with the newspaper business, the more I’ve begun to believe it may simply be necessary for the old to implode in order to make psychic and fiscal space for the new and, hopefully, better.”
• Should the feds step in to “help democracy’s watchdogs”? That’s what Nick Fillmore argues.
• In the Globe and Mail, Peter Miller argues that the “CRTC’s ruling on Canadian ads during the Super Bowl is a fumble” and suggests that the regulator should reverse its decision on simulcast. I do agree that getting access to the American ads is much less of an issue now (they were online right away) but I still don’t think many will support his stance on this issue.
• I have to admit, I haven’t really been following the Ghomeshi trial. But so far at least, it doesn’t look good for his accusers.

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.

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

• After 26 years, David Howell voluntarily left the Edmonton Journal this week. He wrote: “Sincere thanks to all colleagues and contacts over past 26 years. Onward!”
• And according to Brent Wittmeier tonight, Sheila Pratt is also leaving the Journal. He said she was “one of #yeg’s smartest, deepest, most feared and respected reporters.”
• Various sources are reporting that the Edmonton Sun’s Dave “Crash” Cameron has passed away. A Facebook group has been created for family and friends to share memories of Dave.
• Here’s a great feature on Karen Unland of Seen and Heard in Edmonton and her efforts to highlight and grow Edmonton’s blog and podcast communities.
• Ryan Jespersen had Brent Wittmeier, Bill Mah, and John White on his show on Friday morning for a “post-Postmedia” discussion. Some interesting thoughts, but somewhat aggravating at times too. Bonus to end the segment though, Carrie Doll called in to share her thoughts! And in the final few seconds, a small suggestion that all the new ex-Postmedia folks could start their own newsroom.
• Mike Ross (of GigCity) is also feeling the Postmedia pinch: “After almost 25 years of reviewing concerts for The Edmonton Sun, I have been told my services are no longer required.”
• While many seem to be bailing on print media, either by choice or otherwise, Liv Vors has decided to quit blogging and will be “moving back to print media”.
• A new editorial in The Gateway by Richard Catangay-Liew argues the state of local journalism is dire.
• I missed the most recent Edmonton Podcasting Meetup, but you can listen to the audio here. The focus was on promoting your podcast.
• Congratulations to producer Andrew Scholotiuk and director Dylan Pearce on winning a Lumiere Award from the Advanced Imaging Society for their 3D film work in 40 Below and Falling, a feature-length romantic comedy filmed in Alberta.
• Capital Ideas Edmonton is looking for a Community Manager to join its team. The deadline to apply is February 2.
• Couple of regional opportunities to mention. The Bonnyville Nouvelle and Lakeland Regional is looking for an General Assignment Reporter/Photographer. And the Mayerthorpe Freelancer is looking for a multimedia journalist.
• Local photographer Bob Peterson, former official photographer for the Oilers, Eskimos, and Drillers, is putting his collection up for sale. It includes more than 3,000 sports negatives.
• Happy belated birthday to Stacey Brotzel!
• ICYMI: here is last week’s Edmonton blog roundup.

Jeff Jarvis at the World Economic Forum. He wrote that this was the post-Snowden Davos.

And here is some slightly less local media stuff:

• On the topic of the World Economic Forum, here is the Shaping the Future Implications of Digital Media for Society project and its report, Digital Media and Society.
• Here are Linda’s latest social media notes.
• The CRTC is accepting input from Canadians on local news until February 3!
• Here’s David Olive in the Toronto Star on the problem with Postmedia. And here is Andrew Coyne’s take in the National Post.
• Still on the topic of Postmedia, here is an interview with outgoing Ottawa Citizen editor Andrew Potter.
• Corus Entertainment is launching a new initiative called Corus Live that will “leverage Corus’ TV, radio, digital and production expertise to connect audiences with great talent and leading brands through immersive, live experiences staged across the country.”
• Bloomberg reports that Amazon is ramping up its investment in podcasts and other radio-style shows via Audible. Could be interesting.

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.

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

• Last week’s merger by Postmedia of the Edmonton Journal and Sun newsrooms has resulted in a series of knock-on effects in addition to the original 35 layoffs. At least two of those were hired back – photojournalist Shaughn Butts and editor Paul Bacon. But there have also been some resignations. Copy editor Dave Ryning resigned as did crime bureau chief Jana Pruden. She wrote, “I have decided to leave the Journal, to devote myself to my book and longform narrative true crime outside a daily news environment.”
• You have to wonder how long it’ll be until some of the other high profile names leave, by choice or otherwise. We know that additional cuts are on the way for Postmedia, and it feels a bit like the local newsroom is in a death spiral. On top of that, I’m not sure how long reporters are going to put up with having their stories completely rewritten but with the same byline. For instance, here’s a story Elise Stolte wrote in the Journal the day after the cuts took place and here’s the “same” story rewritten for the Sun. Both also carry a sidebar written by Dave Lazzarino. The changes will definitely take some getting used to.
• And speaking of knock-on effects, the timing on reprinting this feature on photographer Ian Kucerak and his wife Laurie Callsen could not have been worse.
• Karen Unland did some press last week talking about the cuts. Here’s her interview with Global Edmonton. And although it was recorded earlier, her conversation with the 30minuteweek podcast contains some relevant commentary. She also wrote a piece on when the unthinkable happens at your newspaper.
• Curiously in this time of cutting back, the Edmonton Sun is publishing a magazine called YEG MAN. I hadn’t seen this until recently but I guess the first (and so far only) issue was published back in September. It features dating advice from Dinner TV co-host Claire Hanna.
• Congratulations to Corus on raising $1,334,381 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital during last week’s radiothon. Here’s more on the annual event from Cam Tait and here’s a photo of some of the participants.
• Congratulations to CTV anchor Daryl McIntyre for being short-listed for top local news anchor in Canada in the 2016 Canadian Screen Awards. Here’s a list of the other Alberta nominees. The awards will be handed out on March 13.
• In his latest column, Marty Forbes wrote about the many changes taking place in the world of major electronic media. He notes that Doug McCulloch has moved from Edmonton to become General Sales Manager for Newcap in Calgary.
• Episode 26 of the Seen and Heard in Edmonton podcast features TJ Jans and Salena Kitteringham of the Curious Arts blog. Here is the latest podcast roundup and last week’s blog roundup.
• Happy birthday to Breanna Karstens-Smith and Courtney Theriault.
• Here’s an interesting video of a K97/ITV feature from the late 80s.

Former Edmonton Journal editor-in-chief Margo Goodhand who tweeted fond memories and praise for each of the staffers who lost their jobs

And here is some slightly less local media stuff:

• Rogers Media today announced that it is cutting 200 jobs across its television, radio, and publishing divisions. No word on the local impact yet. The cuts are slated to take place in February.
• Here are Linda’s latest social media notes. Congrats on #100 Linda!
• The Canadian Association of Broadcasters CEO Radio Council is launching a new “radio marketing and advocacy bureau” later this year.
• Frontline, a program series “that trains and supports writers who are exploring, testing, witnessing and reporting back on some of the most current and pressing issues of our time,” is offering a two-week residency at the Banff Centre for writers focused on environmental reportage.
• After a tough week for media in Canada, Marsha Lederman wrote in the Globe: “So if the day comes when media organizations are no longer paying journalists to dig up these stories, what will these sites do for material?”
• Also in the Globe, Simon Houpt wrote: “City newspapers aren’t just pillars of their communities. Ideally, they are the connective tissue of the body politic, as well as its first response to nascent cancers.”
• Newspapers aren’t the only ones being affected by the shift to digital: “Nearly half of the country’s local TV stations could be off the air by 2020 without a boost in revenues to pay for local programming, the national broadcast regulator has been told as it prepares to open public hearings into the viability of local TV.”
• This piece by Dave Winer covers a lot of the reasons that I’m uneasy about Medium.

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.