CBC Thunder Bay marks 40 years with an open house September 27th
THUNDER BAY – Forty years after a dedicated group lobbied for a local station, the current crew at CBC plan to kick off the anniversary festivities in style. The station, located at 213 Miles Street East, will play host to an all day open house this Friday, September 27.
The event will include live performances from local acts such as Greenbank Trio, Nick Sherman, Jean-Paul De Roover, Abby Dowhos and Kris DeLorenzi, as well as a special performance by the Crosstown Blues Band, featuring CBC Thunder Bay‘s very own Gord Ellis. In between the musical entertainment, there are contests, displays of old and new recording equipment, tours, face painting and more.
“This is a terrific opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes at CBC Thunder Bay”, says Program Manager Susan Rogers. “We’re looking forward to celebrating with the community.”
For more information on the 40th Anniversary festivities, CBC Thunder Bay has set up a special webpage.
A lot has changed
Rogers says it’s the change in the news cycle and also the technology that has helped to keep things interesting.
“When you think about 40 years ago, we were cutting tape with razor blades, using typewriters… It was very cumbersome radio compared to today. Now of course we’re digital”.
“We just changed our editing program and our online news program to make things even more efficient.”
Rogers adds, “It used to be just radio, but now as you know, a reporter is taking a camera, a phone for audio and video, because of our online component and of course the CBC network.
“We now have a small television studio in the building in case we need to assist with a story that will be shown nationally.”
In the end what makes the day rewarding, still comes back to the stories for the team at CBC Thunder Bay.
“It’s not just about going to the press conferences and the politicians and the weather… we do all that, but our bread and butter is telling deeper stories; probing and digging. At least we hope to make people think, and maybe helping to bring positive change,” shares Rogers.
As for what stands out for Rogers, she points out “Special programming such as the Common Ground Cafe, and the stories telling about First Nation people and some of their struggles. A lot of that is thanks to the work done by reporter Jody Porter.”
Rogers says that while she has only been at CBC Thunder Bay for five years, she thinks the way the news is delivered is different today than it once was.
“I think we do tell a wider range of stories now. You don’t want people to feel like they need to hide under the covers after a newscast. There’s good and bad news and so we try to have a balance. Also because of social media there is more involvement from the public now; we are able to talk with the person whose basement flooded, or the person who had an egg thrown at them. It makes the story more personal.”
Happy Birthday CBC Thunder Bay!
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