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Stories

213 posts

All stories of the Review of Journalism.

Four journalists reporting on the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival peer over their shoulders to meet the viewer’s gaze. In the backdrop behind them, an ominous shadow of U.S. President Donald Trump looms over the Toronto cityscape, partially masked by the clouds.

The Arts of the Deal

In March, after a month of deliberation by President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on numerous countries, a 25 percent tax was placed on goods entering the United States from Canada and Mexico. Canadians across the country remained uneasy as the days went on, fearing possible job cuts and even higher inflation.

Double Sided

The first time I met Roveena Jassal, we were both performing at the same showcase, “Conscious Songs 4 Conscious Minds,” in the summer of 2023 at Content Day Studios. I don’t remember how our conversation started—it was probably something like, “I loved your set”—but I definitely remember how it ended.
A split screen shows a freelance journalist on the left side, face down at her writing desk, struggling with her mental health. On the right side, the same journalist now sits across from a therapist in her office, discussing how best to help her.

Not Just a Newsroom Problem

Canadian journalists have long shouldered the responsibility of reporting on tragedies and distressing events, oftentimes at the expense of their own mental well-being. While many staff writers now have access to employer-funded mental health resources, the situation is different for freelancers, who are often left to navigate these challenges alone.

The Not-So-Subtle Price of Writing in the Passive Voice

How media framing through linguistics perpetuates biases in coverage of the Israel-Gaza…
A tattooed arm holds a pen and a notepad

Ink On and Off the Page

Tattoos are a deeply personal and visual expression of identity. They offer a window into who someone is—their passions, values, memories, and interests, all etched into their skin. In the same way, journalist’s stories provide insight into their worldview—how they process ideas, what compels them to tell certain stories, and ultimately, what drives them as storytellers.
Abstract art collage of model walking runway surrounded by reporters.

Out of the Spotlight

It’s a chilly weekend in November 2024, but outside T3 Bayside, the crisp air is charged with excitement. Crowd control bollards funnel guests—hundreds of homegrown designers, models, photographers, artists, and fashion lovers—into the runway room, where they await the chance to see the new collections and mingle among art and clothing. Bursts of colour, texture, and personality transform this east downtown Toronto space on the waterfront. T3 Bayside, which boasts the title of tallest timber office building in North America, is hosting 8,000 attendees and participants at Fashion Art Toronto, a four-day annual celebration of Canadian fashion. This weekend, the event is debuting fall and winter fashions, showcasing more than 40 Canadian designers.
Animated person sitting at desk, app icons flowing from computer.

The New Newsroom

From May to August 2024, Canadaland had two keen fellows, Mia Johnson and Leora Schertzer, who wrote stories for its flagship show, also Canadaland. Most mornings, they were at the office at nine in the morning—hours before podcast host Noor Azrieh arrived—and they would be the last to leave. Nobody showed up to the office that early, other than founder Jesse Brown. The fellows frequently engaged in meetings and talked about the news. The stories they produced on their own usually took a team of three to four people to accomplish, according to Azrieh. Johnson made an episode called “The Painful Truth about IUDs,” while Schertzer created “Waste Management: Sh*t’s Complicated.”

Samira Speaks Out

Samira Mohyeddin’s On the Line Media seeks to address the “reckoning” journalism faces Samira…
Illustration of one woman cartoonist amongst a group of male cartoonists.

Drawing the Line

David. Michael. Theo. Patrick. Greg. These are the names of the cartoonists I usually see as I flip through the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Montreal’s The Gazette, and the Winnipeg Free Press.
Collage of headlines: "1200 killed by mental patients!"

Don’t Call Me Dangerous

On a rainy evening in November 2024, the Black Sheep pub in Toronto’s Liberty Village was alive with a warm energy. The space buzzed with laughter and chatter as guests showed up to attend the launch party for the sixteenth issue of Queer Toronto Literary Magazine (QT). The issue, “Dream State,” was dedicated to celebrating trans and non-binary voices.