Canadian Association of Journalists

Calling all #northern journalists! Today is the last day to apply to join our [extremely cool and fun] board of directors. If you are interested in connecting with journalists and helping to improve our profession, please get in touch!... [email protected] Full details: https://caj.ca//Journalist_for_CAJ_northern_representative

Ummm ... We got more than 200 applications for the #CAJMentorship program!!!! Our minds = blown Thank you to everyone who applied and to all our mentors who helped make this such a success. We're looking forward to reading all these applications and making matches... Stay tuned!

The #CAJMentorship program is closing TODAY at 5 pm ET. We know professional development has been hard to come by during the pandemic. So why not learn from 30 of Canada's best journalists? http://caj.ca/mentorship Here's a thread to answer some of the questions we're getting:... Q: What if my membership application isn't approved before deadline? A: Don't worry about it. We manually review all applications so if you sign up for a membership this afternoon it may not be approved before 5 pm. We will consider your mentorship application regardless! Q: Did you get my mentorship application? A: At the bottom of the application you should see a "Submit" button which will take you to a page that says thank you for submitting. Don't see that? Email Zane Schwartz and he'll let you know if everything is okay. Q: What if I can't afford the membership fee? A: CAJ membership fees have remained the same for over 40 years. They start at $20 for an annual membership. If that cost would prohibit you from applying we have a membership dues bursary. Details on that: http://caj.ca/mentorship Q: Am I guaranteed a mentor? A: Last year, we had 16 mentors and were able to pair 30% of our applicants. We expanded the program to 30 mentors so that more journalists could be matched but not everyone will end up paired. (To increase your chances of getting paired see next Q) Q: Tips on a perfect answer for 'why do you want to be mentored by X'? A: Don't just say "Daniel Dale is cool and I want to talk to him." Share what you admire about his work and what you want to learn from him. The more specific you are, the more a mentor will choose to help you. Q: Tips on a perfect answer for: "At the end of the six weeks what are you hoping to have accomplished"? A: Tailor your answer to the mentor(s) you're hoping to work with and show that you know who they are and what you want to learn from them. The more specific the better. Q: Tips on a perfect answer for: "Please add two links to published pieces of journalism of which you're particularly proud"? A: Pick articles that fit into your overall application. Want help with features? Show us your best longform. Looking for podcast help? Share your show. Q: Is #CAJMentorship only for early-career journalists? A: No! The program is open to journalists at all stages of their careers! Each mentor has outlined the type of journalist they're looking to help. You can see who each one is looking to help at: http://caj.ca/mentorship Wondering about something else? Ask us in the replies or send a DM. There's a mentor for everyone out there. We're here to help! Apply now: http://caj.ca/mentorship

There is only ONE DAY left to apply for the #CAJMentorship program. We have 30 amazing mentors to choose from to help with everything from investigative political reporting to navigating a newsroom. Get your applications in before 5 pm Friday: caj.ca/mentorship

Are you a reporter looking to improve your (or your newsroom's) coverage of Canada's Indigenous communities? The #CAJMentorship program has two incredible Indigenous mentors you could choose from: Brandi Morin or Karyn Pugliese Apply now: http://caj.ca/Mentorship

The CAJ has joined 23 news organizations to urge the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (@nUSAHomeland) to drop its planned change to how visas for foreign journalists are managed. Our statement: https://caj.ca//CAJ_joins_press_freedom_groups_calling_for

Yesterday's statement by Patty Hajdu about #cdnfoi was simply astonishing. For DECADES, the CAJ has been calling for reform to Canada's broken access-to-information system. You'll be hearing more from us about why in the days to come. Background https://j-source.ca//trudeaus-government-continues-to-fal/

How has the COVID-19 pandemic shaped the ongoing debate about support for journalism as a business? Join CAJ President Brent Jolly for this discussion at Carleton University's 2-day #JournalismInCrisis conference. Register now: https://carleton.ca//journalism-at-75-journalism-in-the-t/

Journalists have certainly become accustomed to additional layers of government obfuscation during the COVID-19 pandemic but this takes the cake. Unaccceptable behaviour from Merrilee Fullerton.

The CAJ's first virtual mentorship event goes live shortly. We'll be chatting about how to crush it (even in 2020). We'll be sharing highlights here. Comment below if you have questions for our mentors.

Our first virtual mentorship is today! Here's what you need to know: - A few spots still available for the big Zoom party - We'll be live streaming right here on Facebook... - Follow along on Twitter: #CAJMentorship - (Voluntary) Dress code: Moira Rose See you all soon: https://caj.ca/blog/pathways_to_prosperity_mentorship_event

If you're looking for a) inspiration/motivation b) help and/or c) LOLs, the CAJ has got you. Join us on Friday to ask Mike De Souza, Adrian Harewood, Andree Lau and Emma Gilchrist about how they keep crushing it (even in 2020). Register now: https://caj.ca/Pathways_to_prosperity_mentorship_event

On Oct. 7, reporter Ryan Thorpe was in the process of obtaining a video from a bystander to a police shooting when a Winnipeg Police officer took the phone, preventing the video from being made public. The CAJ condemns this interference and extends open-ended offers to any/all law enforcement groups to explain the critical role of media. The CAJ believes this would be a productive way to address the many recent incidents that have seen journalists be arrested, restrained, or obstructed for doing their jobs. Full statement: https://caj.ca//CAJ_condemns_Winnipeg_police_interference_

"Through a 3 week, choose-your-own-path bootcamp, Black journalists, editors & content creators will be given the resources to bolster or start up their own digital media publications." Enrol for this awesome program by November 1! Enrol for @CABJMedia's new (awesome!) startup bootcamp by Nov. 1: https://www.cabjmediabootcamp.ca/

Are you a student journalist interested in learning how to better report on key campus issues like anti-Blackness, policing, ableism and trans/gender issues? @CanUniPress is hosting their first equity reporting workshop on October 21. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com//1Fu6vR4exAep-RU6M7FifAG_9iM/edit

There is mounting evidence to suggest increasing levels of online violence against women journalists amid the COVID-19 pandemic and rising racial tensions globally. UNESCO is asking for info to combat violence against female journalists. Fill the survey today:

Hey Ottawa CAJ'ers: set your alarm for your chapter's 8 a.m. (virtual) AGM tomorrow. Pyjamas are acceptable; coffee is probably needed; fun will definitely be had. Pick your new representative and check in with your friends. Email us at < [email protected] > for the Zoom link!