67 journalists and media workers have been killed this year

BRUSSELS (AP) — Russia’s war in Ukraine, chaos in Haiti and rising violence by criminal groups in Mexico contributed to a sharp spike in the number of journalists killed doing their work in 2022, according to a new report released Friday.

The International Federation of Journalists says that 67 journalists and media staff have been killed around the world so far this year, up from 47 last year.

The Brussels-based group also tallied 375 journalists currently imprisoned for their work, with the highest figures in China including Hong Kong, in Myanmar and in Turkey. Last year’s report listed 365 journalists behind bars.

With the number of media workers killed on the rise, the IFJ and other media rights groups have called on governments to take more concrete action to protect journalists and free journalism.

“The failure to act will only embolden those who seek to suppress the free flow of information and undermine the ability of people to hold their leaders to account, including in ensuring that those with power and influence do not stand in the way of open and inclusive societies,” IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said in a statement.

More media workers were killed covering the war in Ukraine — 12 in total — than in any other country this year, according to the IFJ. Most were Ukrainian but also included those of other nationalities such as American documentary filmmaker Brent Renaud. Many deaths occurred in the first chaotic weeks of the war, though threats to journalists continue as the fighting drags on.

Hundreds walk out at New York Times

 Hundreds of journalists and other employees at The New York Times 

began a 24-hour walkout Thursday, the first strike of its kind at the newspaper in more than 40 years.

Newsroom employees and other members of The NewsGuild of New York say they are fed up with bargaining that has dragged on since their last contract expired in March 2021. The union announced last week that more than 1,100 employees would stage a 24-hour work stoppage starting at 12:01 a.m. Thursday unless the two sides reach a contract deal.

The NewsGuild tweeted Thursday morning that workers, “are now officially on work stoppage, the first of this scale at the company in 4 decades. It’s never an easy decision to refuse to do work you love, but our members are willing to do what it takes to win a better newsroom for all.”

Negotiations took place Tuesday and some of Wednesday, but the sides remained far apart on issues including wage increases and remote-work policies. (AP)

University of Ottawa apologizes for preventing media from filming Chinese amabassador

The University of Ottawa has apologized less than 48 hours after university officials told accredited media they could not film the Chinese Ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu, during a speech on campus in which he criticized the Liberal government’s newly released Indo-Pacific Strategy.

The Canadian Press and Radio-Canada were not allowed to set up cameras, whereas a photographer from the Globe and Mail was not allowed in the room. The CTV News crew was also told their camera would not be allowed inside the building and had to stay outside.

Although the request was seemingly made by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada, the university did not confirm this information directly. A spokesperson said in a statement that a “speaker’s unexpected refusal to allow cameras jeopardizes the event.”

Window blinds were also lowered by university staff in order to hide protests in support of Uyghurs taking place outside the building. (CP)

Neil Oliver new chief executive of Torstar Corp.

 Torstar Corp. says Neil Oliver will become the new chief executive of the Toronto Star newspaper’s parent company.

Torstar spokesperson Bob Hepburn confirmed the appointment of the Metroland newspaper group president in an e-mail to The Canadian Press.

He adds that the company has “parted ways” with Marina Glogovac, who joined the Star as its president in June.

Ms. Glogovac was previously the president and chief executive of fundraising company CanadaHelps, chief marketing officer at e-reader firm Kobo Inc. and chief executive officer of dating website Lavalife Corp.

Her departure and Mr. Oliver’s appointment come after the company announced Star publisher Jordan Bitove had taken sole control of Torstar on Thursday, following a tense dispute between he and co-owner Paul Rivett.

The two had been in mediation and then arbitration since September, when Mr. Rivett sought a court order to wind up the company, saying his business relationship with Mr. Bitove had sustained “irreparable” damage. (CP)

Vassy Kapelos to CTV

Vassy Kapelos is moving from CBC to CTV, taking up the hosting of "Power Play" and "Question Period," starting December 1. The posts became vacant when Evan Solomon left for the U.S.

Kapelos will also host a new radio program called "The Vassy Kapelos Show" that will air weekday afternoons on iHeartRadio Canada Talk network station.

Before CBC, Kapelos was Ottawa bureau chief for Global News and hosted "The West Block. She has hosted CBC's "Power and Politics" since March 2018.