Elaine Shein

Police swept the lock-up room beforehand – for hidden cellular phones, two-way radios or live microphones. No contact was allowed with the outside world from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., but within the room MuchMusic VJs mingled with CBC news anchors. Up to 500 journalists and technicians swarmed around the House of Commons on Feb. […] Read more

Embargoes allow journalists to get budget details sooner, but strict guidelines accompany the documents. When Saskatchewan presented its budget two weeks ago, the written rules from the media services office warned that advance copies were the possession of only the persons who signed for them. “You have no authority to share its contents, or to […] Read more

Government budget season is upon us. Journalists have been inundated with news releases and press conferences before, during and after budget presentations. Organizations, political pundits and special interest groups are eagerly awaiting interviews and offering “expert” analysis on how the budgets will affect them. How does the media prepare for covering budgets? How are journalists […] Read more

What’s your favorite part of our newspaper? What’s the first thing you or your spouse look at? What would you change, leave as is or drop completely? How much time do you spend with our paper? Newspapers like to learn what attracts readers – and what keeps them. We are continually fine-tuning the content and […] Read more

You want to be a journalist? What does it take? Last week we reviewed some of the general qualities, such as being a good listener and a lover of words. This week we add to the list. A journalist adheres to deadlines, yet must often patiently await for phone calls to be returned or for […] Read more

Sometimes we receive inquiries and applications from people seeking jobs as journalists, although they have no journalism experience. Whether it’s inquiries from teenagers contemplating entering journalism schools, or from former teachers/English degree majors/creative writers/seekers of fame and glory, the hidden questions are the same: Do I have what it takes to be a journalist? Will […] Read more

In pursuit of fairness and balance, journalists are encouraged to obtain “both sides of the story,” particularly on controversial subjects. Reporters attempt to present enough information so that readers can decide if the story is credible, begin to understand the complexity of the issues, and perhaps draw their own conclusions. While it is admirable to […] Read more

The majority of our stories begin with a placeline – the place where the reporter has been to collect information for a story. Often the placeline is the main bureau for the reporter. Generally, if the research was accumulated through phone calls, the bureau’s location gets the credit. The city or town’s name shows if […] Read more

Think there’s too much violence in newscasts? Have hope: a recent Reuter story said some U.S. television stations are offering alternative “family-sensitive” local newscasts. “The idea is to limit the number of video clips showing body bags, sheet-covered stretchers, blood-smeared pavement, glaring ambulance lights and other flashing images of crime in the big city,” said […] Read more

Despite optimistic tidings from our editor on the opposite page, the new year may be one of the most critical for the newspaper industry. Over a number of years a newsprint glut helped keep newsprint prices down. However, as mills closed, the inevitable occurred: supply and demand caught up and newsprint is now in short […] Read more