The new Global News Journalism Award will be given to a King’s journalism student who is African Canadian
King’s Board Chair Doug Ruck urged the students not to think of the Global News Journalism Award as an advantage, but rather as something that brings them closer to the starting line. “For far too long, young black students have been out of sight of that starting line. So I’m very appreciative of what Global has done. I’m very appreciative of the efforts of the University of King’s College in trying to level that playing field, to make these things happen.”
The University of King’s College and Global News Halifax have created the Global News Journalism Award for an incoming Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) student at King’s to support diversity in journalism classrooms and eventually in newsrooms.
Funded through a gift from Global News, the Global News Journalism Award is a renewable entrance award valued at $2,675 each year, for four years. Over the four years that the selected recipient is taking the degree, its total value to the student will be $10,700.
Recognizing the need for diversity in newsrooms and amongst journalists, the Global News Award will be given to a King’s journalism student who is African Canadian. Preference will be given to an African Nova Scotian applicant.
“Global News is proud to support the future of journalism and the community through this award,” said Ward Smith, Senior Vice President of Global News. “At a time when truth and facts matter more than ever, it’s encouraging to see so many young curious minds steering their education toward a future career in journalism. Our commitment to these students remains a priority to us.”
“Newsrooms in this region are not doing well enough in terms of diversity. We’re committed to doing more,” said Rhonda Brown, News Director and Station Manager for Global News in Halifax and New Brunswick, who announced creation of the Global News Journalism Award at J-School Noire. “I hope someday I’m working alongside you,” she told the participants.
The award was announced on Feb. 25 at an event organized by the Canadian Association of Black Journalists (CABJ) called J-School Noire. This one-day workshop offered at the Nova Scotia Community College’s (NSCC) Ivany Campus was designed to introduce Black youth to the journalism profession, with the ultimate aim of encouraging them to apply to journalism school and eventually pursue careers in the field. NSCC, King’s and Global Halifax sponsored J-School Noire.
Brian Daly, Atlantic Director for the CABJ and J-School Noire organizer, said now is the perfect time for young people to get involved in telling their own stories. “The world needs to hear the voices of Black youth in Canada, whether it be as sportscasters, filmmakers, or social media influencers,” said Daly. “Technology makes this easier than ever before. I want to see our young people create bold and exciting content that will drive the culture forward, as our people have done for many years.” The CABJ also support young journalists through coaching and mentorship.
Video journalist Whitney Oickle was a J-School Noire instructor. She taught the students about cameras, framing, telling stories from within their community, point of view and bias.
“I’d like to thank Brian Daly and the Canadian Black Journalists Association for leading J-School Noire, to NSCC for hosting it, and to Global News for prioritizing diversification of journalism classrooms and newsrooms, and today, especially, for sponsoring the Global News Journalism Award,” said Doug Ruck, Chair of King’s Board of Governors, representing King’s at J-School Noire. “Learning how to research, conduct interviews, write and produce stories for print and broadcast mediums is about more than just acquiring skills. It’s about using these technical competencies to tell stories that matter—that matter to you, and that matter to your communities,” Ruck told the students and people gathered.
Noah and Joshua, grade six students and J-School Noire’s youngest participants, say their favourite part of the day was learning about lighting and different types of camera shots.
King’s Director, School of Journalism Tim Currie said he’s grateful for the support Global News has shown for journalism education at King’s through this award. “The Global Journalism News Award is going to provide a wonderful opportunity for one of our future students to join the journalism community. They’ll have the financial support to succeed in the program and gain the skills to join the next generation of storytellers.”
The Global News Journalism Award will be given to a student starting their honours journalism degree at King’s in 2020-2021.
