Standing Our Ground
This era is tumultuous for journalism. Another Trump presidency has cut Voice of America and Radio Free Europe. A trade war with our closest ally dominates our newswires daily. The rise of AI and Big Tech’s influence over news makes us wary if we’ll have a job waiting next year, next month—even tomorrow.
Factual, accurate news is crucial to how we navigate our lives, yet journalism has become a target, and our industry is under attack, which amplifies the pressure we’re facing. Our stories this year highlight how on-the-ground, reliable journalism is at risk in Canada, too. On the East Coast, Marina Black shows how the closing of local news organizations and sweeping layoffs are symptoms of the consolidation plaguing our nation. Reema Najjar covers how police block and threaten reporters from rightfully doing their jobs. Jay Ashdown outlines the vile online hate directed especially at racialized, women, and queer journalists. Other threats are technological: Sandra Ingram explores how AI shrouds our profession with an uncertainty some would ignore.
Our industry is struggling—we are struggling—yet some make a difference. Investigative journalist Emma McIntosh breaks deeply researched, hard-hitting stories. Christian Allaire champions Indigenous culture and representation in high-fashion magazines. Shireen Ahmed is now a force in sports journalism, a field historically cornered by white men. We also look back on powerhouse journalist Stevie Cameron, who died last year. Her investigative courage demonstrated the importance of our trade.
In addition to the print team’s work, we’ve run weekly online features to keep the industry informed in real time. We organized a panel on AI’s presence in the newsroom. And don’t forget our two podcasts: Behind the Review dives into our reporting process, while Pull Quotes spotlights journalistic innovation.
As emerging journalists, we’re told our industry is dying and that we’ve picked the wrong profession. Yet, we choose this calling and support its ideals: to share truth and hold power to account. We’ve made a choice not to give up because a world with no journalism is a world we don’t want to live in.
Lastly, the Review would like to give a special thanks to our fearless leader, professor Bill Reynolds. After 24 years at The Creative School and 17 years in the industry, Bill is retiring. He has helped shape what the Review is today, fostering its presence as a beacon of hope and critical analysis. We cannot thank him enough for his dedication, allowing us to do what we do best. (And to thank Aloysius Wong, our teaching assistant, for keeping Bill up to date.)
The Review does not give up on journalism—it’s not an option. After 41 years of critiquing this industry and the people in it, you can count on a new issue again next year. Until then, enjoy our work on the 2024–25 edition.
In solidarity,
Trent Weston, Editor in Chief
Livia Dyring, Senior Editor
Chloe Kim, Senior Editor
