Shining lights into dark corners at #CAJ15

OTTAWA, May 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Journalists have always excelled in shining their lights into the darkest corners, bathing that which some might wish to keep secret with the sterilizing effect of exposure.

As the industry continues to struggle with technological and sociological change that itself has an impact on profitability, a group of sessions at the 2015 Canadian Association of Journalists shows the drive to keep those flashlights working hasn't waned.

CBC News' Dean Beeby will share tips, tricks and examples of how – despite its many problems – journalists across Canada are still able to wrestle information out of government hands using the federal Access to Information legislation. One series of tips he'll share are the seven habits of effective ATIP filers. Beeby's session is scheduled for the afternoon of Friday, June 5, with a repeat the following morning.

Speaking directly to the flaws of the ATIP system, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression's executive director Tom Henheffer is scheduled to present a session focusing on what our government has been doing to keep Canadians in the dark. Henheffer will explain the behaviour the CJFE has been tracking that shows just how much effort is put into keeping public information away from the public.

On Saturday afternoon, a team from the Toronto Star, Halifax's The Coast and King's University will lead a panel discussion on public-service journalism – journalism that brings about changes in public policy, standards and/or governance that improve the lives of Canadians.

"These are just a few examples of sessions at #CAJ15 showing Canadian journalists are still pulling plenty of information out of the shadows for their audiences to see and take action on," CAJ president Hugo Rodrigues said. "They speak to our continuing role as journalists to work in the public interest."

Rates for the conference — unchanged since 2012 — start at $239 plus HST for CAJ members for the full weekend, including a ticket to the awards gala. Student member rates start at $75, with single-day registration starting at $100. These rates will go up on May 22.

All this information along with a link to our online registration site is posted on the main #CAJ15 page of our website. The conference program – as it comes together – and information on our presenters, panelists and workshop leaders are also available through our website.

The CAJ is Canada's largest national professional organization for journalists from all media, representing over 600 members across the country. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide public-interest advocacy and high-quality professional development for its members.

SOURCE Canadian Association of Journalists

Hugo Rodrigues, CAJ president, 613-330-8396 cell, [email protected]; Conference co-chair Nick Taylor-Vaisey, [email protected]; Conference co-chair Paul Schneidereit, [email protected]; Registration questions can be sent to: [email protected]; www.caj.ca/caj15; www.facebook.com/CdnAssocJournalists; www.twitter.com/CAJ