Now on J-Source: Ford blames reporters for not asking correct questions on crack use; The Tyee looks to expand nationally; 10 tips for environmental reporting

TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2013 /CNW/ -

FEATURES

Journalism vindicated: Ford admits to using crack; blames reporters for not asking correct questions
Days after Toronto Police said they had in their possession a video allegedly showing Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine, the mayor himself admitted it in a surprise announcement. He blamed reporters for not asking the right questions, a statement that was swiftly refuted by Toronto Star reporters. Over the past six months, since the news broke that Gawker and Toronto Star journalists had seen the alleged video, journalism has been on trial. So it was with a sense of vindication that journalists, especially those in the Toronto Star newsroom, took in the police chief's news. J-Source rounded up all the Rob Ford drama as it unfolded. 

The Tyee looks to expand nationally
The B.C.-based, award-winning online magazine has decided to expand its coverage nationally. The Tyee's editor-in-chief, David Beers, explains this bold venture to Tamara Baluja and what it will take for that vision to be realized. 

Canada's access-to-information system is going downhill and fast
Canada's Information Commissioner, Suzanne Legault, is hoping the government will listen to her pleas for reform, but J-Source Ideas editor and CBC investigative journalist David McKie says journalists shouldn't hold their breath.

Catching a break in Nairobi: How two Canadian freelancers covered the Westgate mall shooting
Two recent Canadian journalism graduates, dreaming of careers as international journalists, caught the break of a lifetime while on fellowships with the Aga Khan Foundation Canada. Adam Bemma reports from East Africa. 

10 tips for the savvy environmental journalist
Science and environmental issues can be challenging for the public to understand due to the technical language and complexity, so journalists should act as translators by using clear, concise language and relevant examples. Here are 10 tips by environmental writer Stephen Leahy.

IN THE NEWS

• Torstar reports $70.8-million loss in third quarter
• 94 layoffs at Rogers Media
• CJFE honours Chilean coup whistleblower
• A journalist's guide to searching on Twitter
• Vancouver Sun leads with 5 wins at Jack Webster Awards
• Journalist fights back against Furlong media 'onslaught'
• Public editor: Rob Ford and 'crack cocaine' video - Now, do you believe the Star?
• PressProgress: a new way of covering news from Parliament Hill
• Question Period Live: Maclean's and J-Source dissect The House of Commons
• Steve Maich named senior vice-president of publishing at Rogers Media

EVENTS CALENDAR

• Nov. 7: After Deadline - Media's coverage of Sammy Yatim shooting
• Nov. 7: Dalton Camp Lecture in Journalism: The New York Times' David Carr
• Nov. 7: Latin American business journalists to speak about the press and economy
• Nov. 9-10: Investigative journalism wisdom from both sides of the border
• Nov. 12: Susan Delacourt on her new book
• Nov. 13: Canadian Online Publishing Awards
• Nov. 15-16: The Participatory Condition
• Nov. 22-24: Communication Galaxy Conference
• Nov. 27: A Case Study in Small Magazine Success with UPPERCASE
• Nov. 28: Guilty Pleasure or Real News?
• Dec. 3: Women of Influence: Kristine Stewart
• All events

J-Source and ProjetJ are projects of the Canadian Journalism Foundation in collaboration with leading journalism schools and organizations.

CJF J-Talk: Guilty Pleasure or Real News? Join us for this discussion about celebrity gossip and its role in the news cycle with Toronto Star's Malene Arpe, Hello! Canada's Alison Eastwood, National Post's Jonathan Kay and etalk's Ben Mulroney. The Globe and Mail's Simon Houpt moderates. Register now.

SOURCE: Canadian Journalism Foundation