Women in the field: changing the face of journalism

Ryerson University’s Journalism Research Centre has published the full
lineup for its full-day symposium about women in journalism.

Various workshops and speakers (including Jan Wong, Anne-Marie Mediwake and Gillian Findlay) will address issues such as work-life balance and newsroom equality, the impact of women’s voices on news agendas and the risks faced by journalists in the field.

Here is the day’s schedule:

*indicates confirmed speaker/participant
9:30 – 10 a.m. Welcome coffee RCC204
10 – 11:30 a.m. Balancing bosses, babies and blogs

The 24-hour-a-day demands of journalism can turn life into a frantic balancing act. This panel will discuss the challenges of being a journalist and achieving (or attempting) a meaningful equilibrium between life and work. Topics will include relationships, parenthood, health and personal development.
Moderator: Laura DiBattista, host of CBC radio’s Here and Now
*Anne-Marie Mediwake, anchor/co-host of CBC News Toronto
*Philip Preville, freelance writer
*Suanne Kelman, author, acting chair, Ryerson University School of Journalism
*Carly Foster, co-owner, Sweet World Media, and publisher, Uxbridge
Town Talk and
Durham Region Kids

12 – 2 p.m. Luncheon.
Meet a mentor and hear author and reporter Jan Wong deliver the 2010-2011 Atkinson Lecture.
Thomas Lounge, Oakham House, 63 Gould Street, Toronto. Ryerson students, alumni, faculty and industry professionals get a unique chance to connect. Tickets $10. *****SOLD OUT******
Media guests confirmed
*Laurie Monsebraaten, Toronto Star
*Vanessa Lu, Toronto, Toronto Star
*Kathy English, public editor, Toronto Star
*Carol Goar, Toronto Star and Atkinson Charitable Foundation trustee

*Jennifer Wells – Toronto Star and Rogers Communications Distinguished Visiting Chair
in the School of Journalism for 2011    
*Jan Wong, author/reporter/columnist
*Michelle Shephard, national security reporter, Toronto Star
*Wendy McCann, Ontario bureau chief, Canadian Press
*Sadia Zaman, CBC, formerly executive director of Women in Film and Television
*Sonia Verma, Globe and Mail
*Karen Levine, Documentary editor, CBC Sunday edition
*Kathryn Blaze Carlson, reporter, National Post
*Carly Foster, co-owner, Sweet World Media, and publisher, Uxbridge Town Talk and Durham Region Kids
*Cynthia Reyes, vice-president DiversiPro Inc., formerly CBC
*Anne-Marie Mediwake, anchor/co-host of CBC News

2:15 – 3:45 p.m. “Equal” in the newsroom? More like Sweet and Low
RCC201
In journalism schools across Canada, women students far outnumber men. Yet most senior newsroom positions seem to be held by men. This panel will explore the reasons for this, the challenges and opportunities that this phenomenon poses and the impact of women have on news content as sources and journalists.
Moderator: *Ann Rauhala, School of Journalism and former newsroom manager
*Kathy English, Public Editor, Toronto Star
* Sadia Zaman, CBC, formerly executive director of Women in Film and Television – Toronto (WIFT-T)
*Karen Levine, Documentary Editor, CBC Sunday Edition.

3:45 – 4 p.m. Coffee break

4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Reporting in risky situations
RCC201
Journalists are bound to find themselves in areas of conflict, crime or natural disasters. Good reporting often depends on taking risks and challenging authority, which can put journalists in peril. What do these dangers signify for women reporters? This panel will explore issues of cultural sensitivity, safety, tragedy and responsibility.
Moderator: *Gillian Findlay, host, CBC fifth estate
*Sonia Verma, Globe and Mail
*Wilf Dinnick, Editor, Openfile.ca
*Kathryn Blaze Carlson, reporter, National Post
*Michelle Shephard, national security reporter, Toronto Star

5:30 to 6 p.m. – Summing up: Where do we go from here?
Marsha Barber, associate professor, Ryerson University School of Journalism
Ann Rauhala, associate professor, Ryerson University School of Journalism