Elaine Shein

Photos in a newspaper should appear just as the camera saw the image: It should not be manipulated. Unfortunately, our Dec. 21 paper had an altered picture on page 50. Logos were removed by our staff from toy boxes in a KRTN photo because of editorial concern that associating the logos with the accompanying story […] Read more

Past the overdose of mandarin oranges and sugar-plum dreams, children will create memories this Christmas that will accompany them through life. In the schools the children are busy with crafts, carols and cleaning desks. They’re lacing skates, losing mitts and counting sleeps until Christmas. Parents are finding skates, knitting mitts and losing sleep this time […] Read more

The first few letters to the editor have begun to trickle in through Internet, and have been published in the last few weeks. This indicates people are finding useful the redesign of the Producer, especially on page 2 where we have a guide on how to use our services. We also have on the top […] Read more

It’s that time of year when the media is reporting income of farmers. There are stories about soaring grain prices, a better bottom line and other indications of a strong farm sector. This week we have a story quoting Statistics Canada figures showing wheat cash receipts (by end of September) were 21 percent higher than […] Read more

Finding an original photo is one of the challenges in covering annual meetings each year. Photographer Michael Raine was at the annual Saskatchewan Wheat Pool meeting last week in Regina, where he decided to shoot the delegates from above. The pool and the Ramada hotel granted him permission to mount a camera on the ceiling […] Read more

The biggest pressure facing writers is usually deadlines, but freelancer Glenn Powell recommended his peers set stories aside for as long as possible. Powell told Canadian Farm Writers Federation members at their recent annual conference in Ottawa that proofreading is important. By spending time away from their copy, writers will find it easier to pick […] Read more

Late one night last week, CBC’s Prime Time Magazine presented an interesting side of journalism. The whole show was devoted to audience feedback on an earlier interview done by a CBC reporter with the French and Mahaffy families, whose daughters were brutally killed by Paul Bernardo. The sensational trial had attracted attention across the country. […] Read more

By the time you read the Western Producer this week, Quebec’s people will have voted oui or non to separation. It’s been a time of huge rallies, arguments and flag-waving for both sides of the debate. The passion over the vote has gone beyond Quebec’s boundaries. In Ottawa last week, you could forget discussing anything […] Read more

Almost exactly 40 years ago, on Oct. 30, 1955, nine Western Canadian farm writers gathered in Saskatoon to form a new organization. The members were full-time news people from newspapers, radio and television. Their objective was to improve professional standards and provide opportunity for members to meet and exchange ideas. That organization grew to be […] Read more