Local News Matters — Incubating local news in the Maritimes [video]

A one-day symposium will bring together journalists, publishers, media experts and others in Sackville, N.B. today to discuss the future of local news in the Maritimes.

For those who can’t be there in person, the NB Media Co-op will livestream three panels and a keynote address by April Lindgren, a professor in the school of journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University.

The first panel, titled “What do communities need from local reporting?” features Jo-Ann Roberts, former CBC journalist and author of Storm the Ballot Box; Paul MacNeill, publisher of P.E.I.’s Eastern Graphic and associated Island Press newspapers; Darrell Cole, former reporter for Amherst News/Citizen Record); and Marcel Parker-Gallant, assistant general manager, Radio Beauséjour.

The second panel, on “What are you doing and how are you doing it?” features Vicki Hogarth, news director, CHCO-TV and St. Croix Courier; Maureen Googoo, owner/editor Kukukwes.com; David Gordon Koch, reporter, NB Media Co-op; Larry Lynch, editor/webmaster, Miramichi Online; and Theresa Blackburn, publisher/managing editor, River Valley Sun.

The final panel, “What tools are out there for startups or existing outlets?” will feature Terra Tailleur, professor of digital journalism and the business of journalism, University of King’s College; April Lindgren, Local News Research Project; Tim Bousquet, editor and publisher, Halifax Examiner; and Ariel Freiman, rural news strategist.

You can find all the details about the event at bringbacklocalnews.ca.

Livestream schedule:

10 a.m. — Keynote address by April Lindgren of the Local News Research Project

11:15 a.m. — Panel 1: What do communities need from local reporting?

1:30 p.m. — Panel 2: What are you doing and how are you doing it?

2:30 p.m. — Panel 3: What tools are out there for startups or existing outlets?