Minifie lecture welcomes Canadian journalist and CBC panel guest

Posted: January 16, 2012 9:00 a.m.

On January 24, 2012 the University of Regina will host the 32^nd annual James M. Minifie Lecture. These lectures are delivered by leading Canadian journalists who address important current issues, including the state of journalism and democracy in our country.

This year’s lecture will be presented by Chantal Hébert, a national affairs writer with the Toronto Star, guest columnist for Le Devoir and L’Actualité, and weekly participant on the political panel At Issue on the CBC’s The National as well as Radio-Canada’s Les Coulisses du pouvoir. Her lecture is entitled “Missing the Forest for the Trees: A Look at the State of Political Coverage in the Social Media Era”.

“This lecture is a testament to the wider conversation that ties journalists and their publics together to build a deeper, stronger, smarter democracy,” says Mitch Diamantopoulos, department head at the School of Journalism. “The annual Minifie Lecture is a celebration--and continual reminder--of journalism's public trust and democratic mission."

Hébert began her career in Toronto as a reporter for the regional newsroom of Radio-Canada before moving on to report from Parliament Hill. Since there, she has served as parliamentary bureau chief for Le Devoir and La Presse.

Author of a 2007 book titled French Kiss: Stephen Harper’s Blind Date with Quebec and senior fellow of Massey College at the University of Toronto, Hébert holds an honorary doctorate from Bishop’s University.  She is a recipient of two Asia-Pacific media fellowship (Malaysia and Japan) and the 2005 recipient of the APEX Public Service Award.

James Minifie was one of Canada's most courageous and acclaimed journalists. After serving in the Canadian Army at the age of 16, he returned to study at Regina College, forerunner to the University of Regina. He pursued education in journalism and ultimately began his career in 1929. During his notable career, he worked at the New York Herald Tribune, covered the Spanish War and the Battle of Britain, was a correspondent for CBC and penned a number of books before his passing in 1974.

The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. in the University Theatre, Dr. William Riddell Centre. Admission to the lecture is free and everyone is welcome to attend. Free parking is available in the “M” area of Lot 15.

 For more information, please phone 585-4420.