Globe and Mail editor
John Stackhouse.
It’s always more fun to celebrate with peers, so when organizers were looking to commemorate Winnipeg-based French newspaper La Liberté‘s 100th anniversary, they decided to form a club and hold a conference.
Now they’re inviting anyone with an interest in journalism to a free symposium on June 25.
The Centenary Newspapers of Canada (CNC) is a brand-new association for editors of French or English Canadian newspapers that have been publishing for at least 100 years.
The idea was the brainchild of La Liberté’s editor Sophie Gaulin, who was looking for a special way to commemorate not only La Liberté but all papers that reach this impressive milestone.
At the same time former Winnipeg Free Press editor Margo Goodhand wanted to offer editors from across the country the chance to exchange information and celebrate the innovative ideas that have kept their papers publishing for a century.
“We believe that any newspaper that has been in business for 100 years knows all about change, and engaging and retaining readers,” says Goodhand. “We think it’s time senior editors had the chance to share what they’ve learned and to celebrate and reward innovation in a non-competitive environment.”
The conference is designed to be an opportunity to network, pick up some new ideas, attend a professional symposium and discuss the merits of the Centenary Newspapers of Canada going forward.
The free day-long symposium is open to the public but is mainly geared to professionals in the fields of journalism, research and communications. The goal is to bring professionals together to enter into a new dialogue about journalism and its future.
The symposium will feature presentations by Globe and Mail’s John Stackhouse and La Presse’s Mario Girard. It is open to Anglophones and Francophones and will feature simultaneous interpretation. Breakfast and lunch are also provided.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to see these speakers in Winnipeg – and for free,” says organizer Matt Allard.
Workshop topics include: When politicians refuse to play ball: Coping with a political boycott; Journalist, blogger, videographer, Tweet? Are we asking too much of today’s reporters?; and When information is instantaneous: Daily versus weekly strategies in a 24/7 world.
There are at least 60 newspapers across Canada that are 100 years old or more, Goodhand says.
Response from editors across the country has been amazing, she adds.
Centenary Newspapers of Canada and the symposium are just a few of the activities planned for La Liberté’s centennial. A complete list can be found online.
To register for the free symposium on June 25, contact Roxanne Bouchard administration@la-liberte.mb.ca or 204 237-4823. Space is limited so register soon.
