Announcing an exciting new opportunity for BIPOC youth in Canadian media
I’m the executive consultant for this Journalists for Human Rights program.
Hey y’all! Anita here. Now that big milestones are behind me, I’m fully focused on developing The Green Line this summer, so feel free to reach out if you’re interested in partnering or collaborating. Aside from TGL, I’m spearheading an exciting new consulting project that you can read about down below. 🚧
I’m the executive consultant for Journalists for Human Rights’ Enhanced Access for BIPOC Youth in Canadian Media, a first-of-its-kind initiative that aims to build and sustain pipelines of high-potential journalists to help diversify Canada’s media ecosystem. Our goal is to empower racialized youth who experience barriers to accessing opportunities in Canadian journalism so they can have long, successful and sustainable careers in the industry.
BIPOC high school students, high school graduates and postsecondary students who are accepted into the program receive a paid placement with leading Canadian newsrooms, such as The Canadian Press, CityNews, The Local, The Tyee, Xtra and IndigiNews, to gain valuable work experience this summer. There are two streams: a 12-week journalism summer co-op experience for high school students, and a 20-week newsroom internship for high school graduates and college or university students.
I first started developing the program in spring 2021 by conducting informational interviews with major stakeholders in Canadian journalism to determine how to best support the participants. These stakeholders included media outlets, associations, unions, grassroots groups and j-schools.
Based on these interviews and my own industry knowledge, I created a Results-Based Management (RBM) framework that detailed the program’s activities and outputs, as well as immediate, intermediate and ultimate outcomes.
In addition to the two program streams, I’m producing guidelines that teach emerging BIPOC journalists how to successfully navigate newsrooms and a career in journalism. I’m also holding training workshops for managers on how to manage journalists from trauma-impacted communities. Erin Kang, a seasoned facilitator and community-builder who’s also the manager of networks and special projects at the Ontario Nonprofit Network, is co-developing the program materials with me. JHR program manager Hoda Ossoble and director of domestic programs Jordan MacInnis are also supporting work on this program.
Finally, I’ve enlisted a group of industry heavy-hitters to join a community advisory board, and help inform the program based on their extensive experience and expertise. They are: National Observer executive editor Karyn Pugliese, CityNews Toronto senior manager of newsgathering Nicole McCormick; former HuffPost Canada co-editor-in-chief Lisa Yeung; CBC executive director of equity and inclusion Nick Davis; and Inspirit Foundation CEO Sadia Zaman.
Back in the summer of 2004, just before twelfth grade, I was the beneficiary of a similar high school co-op program. That was the summer I got to work at CTV News in Scarborough as a research and archives assistant — an experience that set me up for success for the rest of my career in Canadian journalism. Although the co-op program wasn’t only for BIPOC students, I recall it being based in my hometown of Scarborough, where I didn’t often come across these kinds of opportunities.
Much like my co-op experience, I hope that JHR’s Enhanced Access for BIPOC Youth in Canadian Media will be similarly unforgettable and impactful for the participants.
Quick and Clean
“In my community” and “Cool stuff I like” will be back…
This Canada Day long weekend, read The Green Line’s Instagram article on the historic and ongoing impact of the Williams Treaties, which were created to legitimize the illegal actions of colonial institutions built on unceded Aboriginal land in Ontario.
Pride Month may be over, but it’s always a good time to watch queer cinema. Fire Island, starring Joel Kim Booster and SNL star Bowen Yang, is a gaysian rom-com for the ages — not to mention a fresh take on Pride and Prejudice.
Many thanks to the RSA Journal for profiling The Green Line in an article titled “Youth Works: How three RSA Fellows are fighting global inequalities standing in the way of young people” in its latest issue.
RTDNA Canada just released a video of its 2022 National Conference panel, “Running for The Exits: Why Are So Many Leaving the Business,” which features myself and Magid consultant Marissa Nelson.
How you can support The Other Wave
My professional mission has always been to support the global movement towards more thoughtful, impactful news coverage, and all the ways that manifests. If The Other Wave gets you to think even a little differently about journalism, especially in Canada, then I will have accomplished what I set out to do. And if TOW gets you to take action and support Canadian media outlets — especially ones that strive to be innovative and inclusive — I will have exceeded my expectations.
If my values and goals resonate with you, please consider supporting fiercely independent media analysis that fills in gaps in coverage of the Canadian journalism landscape. How? Feel free to provide feedback, pass along resources, donate money or simply share this newsletter with your friends.