Bruce Gillespie steps into role of J-Source editor-in-chief

TORONTO, July 31, 2013 /CNW/ - Bruce Gillespie, assistant journalism professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, will take over as editor-in-chief of J-Source effective August 1, 2013.

Gillespie is a tenure-track professor who's been published in Canadian Business, Canadian Geographic, MoneySense, Chatelaine, National Post, This Magazine and Quill & Quire. He was also the editor-in-chief of personal finance website Bankrate.ca for six years before his appointment at Laurier in 2010.

"I respect the site a lot and certainly how it's grown over the years, and I use it in my classes quite a bit as well," said Gillespie. "I was excited about the chance to take over."

He said he plans to continue to provide a level of coverage about journalism and media in Canada that's not found anywhere else.

"Bruce brings a wealth of experience in journalism to the position," said Christopher Waddell, on behalf of the Canadian Journalism Project's (CJP) transition team. The CJP comprises websites J-Source and ProjetJ, and is in the process of transitioning to a different funding model.

In a memo, Waddell praised outgoing editor-in-chief Janice Neil for her "outstanding effort and devotion to J-Source." Waddell noted that "the development and growing impact of the website in recent years is largely the result of her tireless work in overseeing the publication and its staff."

The fact that J-Source will be able to head into 2014 and retain The Canadian Journalism Foundation's support as a significant funder while transitioning into an independent organization is the best example of Neil's success, Waddell said.

J-Source has been funded by The Canadian Journalism Foundation since it was founded in 2007, but is in the process of moving to a different funding model by January 2014. The members on the transition team are Christopher Waddell, John Honderich, François Taschereau, Colette Brin, Ivor Shapiro, and Kelly Toughill.

Neil has been editor of J-Source since 2010 and is an associate journalism professor at Ryerson University. She succeeded Ivor Shapiro, who founded J-Source in 2007, and is currently chair of the Ryerson journalism school.

About J-Source
J-Source and ProjetJ are projects of The Canadian Journalism Foundation in collaboration with leading schools and organizations across Canada.

SOURCE: Canadian Journalism Foundation