2024 ONLINE WORKSHOP SERIES FOR JOURNALISTS

Too often a disproportionately white mainstream media lacks the training, support and community relationships needed to ensure coverage of the so-called “child welfare” system is anti-racist, trauma-informed and meaningful to those most affected. Newsrooms lack capacity for cross-jurisdictional, investigative work that engages community members. 

In this series, journalists will receive guidance from advocates who’ve been through “care” (e.g. foster homes and group homes) and renowned Gitxsan advocate Cindy Blackstock — recipient of the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child. They’ll talk about their experiences with journalists — the good, the bad and the ugly — and trauma-informed reporting practices. Journalists Melissa Ridgen and Kenneth Jackson will take us behind the scenes of impactful investigations, discussing barriers and ethical considerations.

These workshops are open to journalists across Canada, and the cost is pay what you can. Funds raised will go toward speaker honorariums and Spotlight: Child Welfare’s ongoing work (e.g. community workshops and collaborative investigations.) Through this series, we aim to build a community of practicing journalists, committed to supporting each other.

*Note: you need to register for each workshop separately.

1) Former youth in “care” share tips for better child welfare reporting
Date/time: Jan. 9, 2024 (10am-12pm PT)
Speakers: Cheyanne Ratnam, Cheyenne Stonechild and Dylan Cohen
Register here

2) Cindy Blackstock: How journalists can better serve First Nations families
Date/time: Jan. 17, 2024 (10am-12pm PT)
Speaker: Cindy Blackstock
Register here

3) Journalists panel — behind the scenes of child welfare investigations
Date/time: Jan. 31, 2024 (10am-12pm PT)
Speakers: Kenneth Jackson (APTN) and Melissa Ridgen (Global News)
Register here

4) The legal landscape: child-welfare reporting tips and landmark cases
Date/time: Feb. 15, 2024 (10am-12pm PT)
Speakers: Jessica Saunders and Maegen Giltrow
Register here

2024 COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

Winnipeg — date/time TBD

Vancouver — date/time TBD

We will be inviting people with connections to the so-called “child welfare” system (youth, parents, advocates, social workers, etc.) to discuss how media covers the system — and ways to improve reporting.

At these in-person workshops, people will be invited to: 

• Share insights: What is the media’s role in the “child welfare” system? Which stories aren’t being told? What kind of data/information is needed? What does “trauma-informed reporting” mean to you?
• Learn about their rights when working with journalists (What should you do if a reporter asks for an interview?)
• Develop story / investigation pitches with support from journalists