Elaine Shein

How do journalists deal with a publication ban – especially if they don’t even know one exists? Patricia Graham, editorial pages editor for the Vancouver Sun, said that the media have problems with the bans as they limit access to reporting court proceedings. “Sometimes we might not even be notified of a ban.” Lawyers may […] Read more

As one of the most sensational murder trials begins in Ontario this week, discussions continue about the need for publication bans surrounding this and other trials. The subject was discussed a couple months ago by journalists, lawyers and a judge at the Canadian Association of Journalists annual conference. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Wally Oppal defended […] Read more

How can the relationship be improved between journalists and academics? There needs to be a better understanding of what each other’s role is and what the limitations are of each job. Professors want more time to prepare for interviews; journalists want more information of what’s going on at the universities. Constructive suggestions offered at a […] Read more

How does a professor became a source? Communication skills. Accessibility. Patience. And the professor must have an opinion willing to be shared with the public. During a symposium involving academics and journalists in Saskatoon, some academics questioned why some of their colleagues were chosen for interviews even if they were biased, the “wingnut of the […] Read more

How much time does a professor have to get a point across during a radio interview? About 10 to 15 seconds, although most of the time people say the most important information in seven or eight seconds, CKOM Radio’s assistant news editor told academics recently. Kathryn Falkner told a symposium at the University of Saskatchewan […] Read more

What is the relationship between the universities and the media? What are some of the frustrations the two have with each other? How can these be resolved? These were some of the issues addressed recently in Saskatoon at a conference for academics and journalists. Some professors from the University of Saskatchewan said they had felt […] Read more

Whether we are talking about aboriginals or people whose ancestors were non-Caucasian from other continents, every race is unique. In the rural Prairies, contact may be limited with these races. A lack of understanding, ignorance or hatred may lead to racist jokes, prejudiced behavior and outright racism. Sometimes people exhibit racist behavior but don’t realize […] Read more

When Saskatchewan’s health minister Lorne Calvert collapsed last week from exhaustion, some of our staff probably pondered what influence we had on him. Calvert’s health temporarily gave way while he was doing a television interview at Victoria Union Hospital in Prince Albert, Sask. What connection did we have with the misfortune? Calvert had set for […] Read more

When several hundred radio, television and newspaper journalists gather for their annual Canadian Association of Journalists conference, usually I find our paper (and agriculture) is unknown to them. Recently in Vancouver for such an event, I found many people surprisingly aware of the Producer and agriculture. Almost instantantly, I was asked: “So what about that […] Read more

How can you reach our reporters? Got a hot news tip for our news editor? Want to get a coming event in the paper? Maybe you’re interested in hearing more about our FarmFax news service or some of the books we sell? We recently installed a 1-800 number for our editorial and editorial services departments, […] Read more