Citizen Journalism

Welcome to the newsroom! Journalism is a powerful tool for building community. Whether you want to cover local high school sports in Sudbury, the arts scene in Queen West, or community events in Brampton, your voice matters. It is okay to start small. The best news organizations often start with just one person who cares about their neighbours.

Journalism is changing. While big TV networks still exist, many of the most important stories in Ontario are being told by small, independent startups. Today, you are going to step into the shoes of a media founder. You will research what works, set your own path, and produce your first "broadcast" package.

Canadian Journalism in Action

As you think about your own organization, take a look at these real-world examples of people who are doing journalism differently right here in Canada:

• Canadaland (National / Media Criticism): This organization started as a single podcast by Jesse Brown and grew into a national news network. Their "voice" is that of a watchdog—they often report on the failures of larger news outlets. Because they are funded by their listeners (crowdfunding) rather than big corporate advertisers, they feel free to be bold, critical, and sometimes even a little bit "snarky" in their pursuit of the truth.
• The Public Record (Hamilton / Civic Affairs): Founded by Joey Coleman, this is a one-person newsroom that focuses entirely on Hamilton City Hall. Joey is famous for his commitment to transparency; he once fought a legal battle just for the right to livestream public meetings! His organization is a great example of "hyperlocal" journalism: where the focus is so specific (like just one city's council) that you become the most trusted expert in that room. The Story of Joey Coleman provides a first-person perspective from Joey Coleman on the challenges and importance of independent, crowdfunded local journalism in Ontario.
• The Narwhal (Environmental / Investigative): If you want your news outlet to focus on a specific issue rather than a specific city, look at The Narwhal. They focus on the environment and the climate crisis. As a non-profit, they don't care about "clicks" or "viral" news; instead, they spend months investigating complex stories about land use or provincial policies (like the Ontario Greenbelt). Their voice is calm, evidence-based, and deeply researched.
• Village Media (Hyperlocal / Digital Town Square): You might already know sites like Sudbury.com, GuelphToday, or SooToday. These are part of Village Media. Their goal is to be a digital town square. They don't just do "hard news"; they also post local obituaries, weather, and community events. They show that being a journalist can also mean being a community connector, helping neighbours stay informed about everything from local politics to the weekend's hockey scores.

Part 1: The Investigation

Before you start your own outlet, you need to see what is already out there. Pick three news startups to investigate.

• Rule: You can pick at most one from the list we discussed (Canadaland, The Public Record, The Narwhal, or Village Media).
• The Others: Look for others! You might check out The Pointer (Brampton/Mississauga), IndigiNews, The Sprawl, or even a journalist you follow on TikTok or YouTube who covers news independently.

In your Google Doc, for each startup, identify:

1. What is their "Revenue Model"? (Do they have ads, or is it funded by the community?)
2. Who is their "Target Audience"? (Be specific! "Everyone" is not an audience.)
3. What is one "Convention" they use? (e.g., Do they use casual language? Do they use specific branding?)

Part 2: Your Newsroom Goals

Now, define your own organization. Create a list of three core goals for your news channel.

• Example Goal: "To provide unedited coverage of our local school board meetings so parents can see the full discussion."
• Example Goal: "To highlight local Ontario musicians who are ignored by mainstream radio."

Part 3: The Production

1. The Master Report

Pick one local story. It could be a change in a city bus route, a local sports result, or an interview with a neighbor. Write a script and record a 2 to 3 minute video report.

• Pro Tip: Use Canva to create "Lower Thirds" (the little bars at the bottom with your name and title) to give it a professional look.

2. The Social Media Clips

Journalists today have to be "platform agnostic." Take your master video and cut it into two short clips (15 to 30 seconds).

• Clip A: A "teaser" designed for a vertical format (like TikTok or Reels).
• Clip B: A "key quote" or "headline" clip designed to be shared on a news feed.

Remember, your voice and your perspective are what will make your newsroom special. It’s okay to start small!

Using Canva for your Broadcast

To make your news organization look official, you will use our school’s Canva license to create professional "on-screen" graphics.

1. The "Lower Third" (Identifying Yourself)

A "Lower Third" is the graphic that appears at the bottom of the screen to tell the audience who is speaking and what their title is.

• Search: In Canva, search for "News Lower Third" or "Social Media Lower Third."
• Customize: Use the colors and fonts from the Brand Kit you created earlier.
• Transparency: When you download your graphic, make sure to select "Transparent Background" (PNG) so it sits on top of your video without blocking the whole screen!

2. The "B-Roll" or Visual Aids

If you are talking about a new bike lane in London, Ontario, or a local festival in Ottawa, don't just show your face!

• Uploads: You can upload your own photos or videos of the local area.
• Elements: Use the "Elements" tab to find icons or maps that help explain your story.
• Placement: Drag these into your Canva video project and use the "Position" tool to place them behind or beside you.

3. Creating the Social Media Clips

Instead of just cutting the edges off your video, let's make it look like it belongs on a phone screen.

• New Project: Create a new project in Canva using the "TikTok Video" or "Instagram Reel" template (1080 x 1920).
• Captions: Use the Canva "Auto-translate" or "Text" tools to add captions. Many people watch social media videos without sound, so having big, clear text is essential for accessibility!
• The "Hook": Ensure your social media clip starts with your most exciting piece of footage or your most shocking headline.

Remember: You don't have to be a professional editor to make something great. It is okay to try a few different templates before you find the one that works for your newsroom. You've got this!