Recent hateful targeting of journalists – predominantly women of colour – has sparked condemnation by community and political leaders.
But for columnists, who share their opinions for a living, this isn’t a new issue.
While the digital age has brought unprecedented access to information, our society has also seen a proliferation of online harassment, especially for those in the public domain.
Our guests will share their experiences and discuss approaches to help end online hate, threats and harassment directed at journalists.
At the next Canadian Journalism Foundation’s (CJF) J-Talks Live free webcast on Thursday, October 28 at 1 p.m. ET, newspaper columnists Daphne Bramham, Vancouver Sun, Shree Paradkar, Toronto Star and Elizabeth Renzetti, The Globe and Mail, will explore the contemporary challenges faced by columnists.
“A strong, diverse media is vital for a well-informed, democratic society,” says CJF Executive Director Natalie Turvey, “We need big voices in Canada’s newsrooms to explore complex subjects, bear witness and provide knowledgeable comment on the issues of the day. We are thrilled to have Daphne, Shree and Elizabeth share their experiences and discuss approaches to help end online hate, threats and harassment directed at journalists.”
Daphne Bramham has been a columnist with the Vancouver Sun since 2000 and has written extensively about the rights of children, women, and animals. Bramham’s 2008 book, The Secret Lives of Saints: Child Brides and Lost Boys in Canada’s Polygamous Mormon Sect, was a finalist for three national, non-fiction book awards.
Shree Paradkar writes on anti-oppression and social justice issues. Paradkar is also the Toronto Star‘s – and Canada’s – first internal ombud, a position created to develop an anti-racist newsroom. Winner of two Amnesty Awards for Human Rights reporting, Paradkar is the author of Betrayed: My cousin’s wrongful conviction for the murder of her daughter, Aarushi.
Elizabeth Renzetti’s column runs weekly in the Globe and Mail where she is also a feature writer. She is the author of two books, the essay collection Shrewed: A Wry and Closely Observed Look at the Lives of Women and Girls and the novel Based on a True Story. In 2020, she won the Landsberg Award for her reporting on gender equality.
Together, they will be in conversation with Anna Maria Tremonti, one of Canada’s best-known journalists and host of the CBC podcast More.
This free virtual event is part of the CJF’s J-Talks Live program that explores pressing journalistic issues.
