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February 2017
Atkinson Lecture 2017
Fake news, real consequences: Can journalists halt the contagion?

Fake news comes from both sides of the political divide, but Buzzfeed News media editor Craig Silverman thinks the circulation of fake left-wing liberal content will surge.

"I have to say, now that Donald Trump is in power, we'll probably see more liberal misinformation in the United States," Silverman.

Silverman spoke at the annual Atkinson Lecture hosted by the Ryerson School of Journalism annually. This year's topic was Fake News, Real Consequences, on Jan. 31  ( full story ).
Undergraduate Award
Vincent J. Devitt Emergency Fund

The Vincent J. Devitt Emergency Fund was created through the generous support of his family and friends to help undergraduate journalism students who need emergency or other financial support. 

Students who require emergency financial assistance should make an appointment with the Chair to explain how they would benefit from the funding. Recipients are chosen by the Chair and will remain anonymous. Since this fund was established, it has had a remarkable impact on the students who have received support  ( full story ).
RJRC News
Conference on disruption and reshaping of local news













Local journalism in many jurisdictions is under threat as news outlets scale back operations, consolidate or close altogether, and many online local news sites struggle to stay afloat. Policy makers, citizens and others are now joining journalists in sounding the alarm about these losses and the potential impact on communities.

Is no news bad news? Local journalism and its future  is a two-day conference scheduled for June 3-4, 2017.  The conference will bring together journalists, citizens, policy makers, educators and Canadian and international scholars to share the latest research related to local journalism and to explore potential solutions to the problems faced by this sector  ( full story ). Register here
The right to be forgotten challenges journalists

The European Court of Justice's 2014 ruling on the "right to be forgotten" (RTBF) doesn't just affect search engines, it also has implications for journalists, said Ryerson University School of Journalism adjunct professor and media lawyer Brian MacLeod Rogers. 

Unpublishing is just one of the potential implications of the RTBF idea that is explored by Rogers and Ryerson University School of Journalism professor Ivor Shapiro in a recent paper published in Digital Journalism . The researchers define unpublishing as "retrospective redaction of error-free news reports."  ( full story )
Open House 
Explore the school during March break

Ryerson is hosting an open house on Monday, March 13. 

Learn about the Bachelor of Journalism program and the  Faculty of Communication and Design.    Tour our facilities, meet our faculty and staff.

Have your questions answered and find out for yourself what makes Ryerson Canada's leading university for innovation and career relevant learning. Read more here .
Peter Bakogeorge Honoured
Ryersonian instructor receives inaugural teaching award for part-time lecturers

The instructor who has helped hundreds of students publish the  Ryersonian every week has won a prestigious, new award to honour teaching excellence.  

Peter Bakogeorge is one of eight part-time instructors in the Faculty of Communication and Design to win the inaugural award for contract lecturers. 

"I think it's really important for the great contribution that CUPE contract employees make that there be this recognition of someone for what they've been able to offer in teaching," said Bakogeorge ( full story ).
Grads at Work
Dana Lacey
(RSJ '07)

Currently: 
Publisher Relations Manager
Apple News

What made you want to join the journalism program at Ryerson?

I was interested in hands-on learning and had heard Ryerson hired working journalists as profs.

Since graduating, what are some skills you've learned working in media, both as a freelance journalist and during your time at different publications?

Leadership. Being a boss is the hardest thing I've ever done.
Communicating with technical people. They speak a different language. Learn it.

Project management. I cannot stress enough how important this is, and how rare. Learn how to set goals, measure success and manage egos. These skills have led directly to promotions  ( full story ).

Grads at Work is an occasional series of profiles of RSJ alums. If you know of a notable grad you'd like to see featured, send us an email at office.journalism@ryerson.ca.
RJAA News
Alumni association welcomes new president

Freelance writer Vibhu Gairola, is the Ryerson Journalism Alumni Association's (RJAA) newest president.

Gairola, a 2014 graduate of the program, says that he looks forward to the level of engagement this position will provide for not only him, but everyone involved.

"I value that through the organization you can be involved in a field which doesn't always invite involvement," he says  ( full story ).
RSJ Voices
Video: Grads reflect on j-school experience 
















 Matt Llewellyn (RSJ '10)

Watch all RSJ Voices interviews  here.
In This Issue
Quick Links
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RSJ Social Media
Connect with us 

Catch up on the latest RSJ news on social media. Follow us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram

In Session
In Session website

The site is home to interactive course descriptions, examples of course work, and access to training materials for students enrolled in journalism classes.

RSJ Wire
The RSJ WIRE (www.rsjwire.ca and @rsj_wire) distributes our students' best work from j-school courses, internships, course partnerships and freelance work. 

Alumni

Don't be a stranger!

Alumni can stay connected in several ways: 

1.) Volunteer to be your newsroom's contact to help us stay in touch or find partnership opportunities. 

2.) Contribute to J-Source, Canada's journalism portal, whose editorial centre is now housed at Ryerson. 

4.) Make a donation now. Or consider making a planned gift to the School of Journalism.

5.) Join other alumni to foster journalism in the developing world.

6.) Take a tour of the School. 

Whatever your choice, let us know and we'll be in touch.

Upcoming Events
February 9, 2017
Join us for the book launch of Journalism in Crisis featuring a panel discussion with Ed Greenspon, Robert Washburn, Gretchen King and Kamala Rao.
More info  here .
February 13, 2017
Untangling The Web, CBC's Duncan McCue will discuss politics and Indigenous communities.
More info  here .
February 15, 2017
The Trump Factor: What Canadian Journalists Can Learn From The American Election  with Daniel Dale, The Toronto Star's Washington correspondent.  More info  here .
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