As journalism goes, so goes democracy. Hosted by CJF President and Executive Director Natalie Turvey, Journalism Matters: The CJF J-Talks Podcast brings you highlights from our conversations with journalists, thought leaders and media innovators on the issues shaping journalism and informing democracy in Canada. Hear the full discussion anytime on our website and YouTube channel.
How the media shapes Canada-U.S. relations and public perception
Politics and the press have a symbiotic relationship, especially when it comes to Canada-United States relations. As these neighbouring countries navigate ever-changing economies and — at times opposing — policies, providing fact-based insight to North Americans is more important than ever. In this episode, David Paterson, Ontario's representative in Washington, D.C., tells us what happens behind closed doors. Robert Benzie, the Queen's Park bureau chief at the Toronto Star, joins him to unpack today's trade and tariff news and break down what lies ahead for both nations.
23 Jul 2026
How to cover wildfires in a turbulent climate
Wildfires are becoming not only annual events but also unmistakable signs of the broader climate emergency. As we witness fires burning across Northern Ontario in real time, journalistic coverage becomes more integral to how the general public understands this environmental crisis. Laura Lynch sat down with Jesse Winter and Nancy Macdonald from The Globe and Mail, Michelle Cyca from The Narwhal, and Colleen Hagerty from Solutions Journalism Network’s My World’s on Fire project to explore wildfire coverage in an increasingly turbulent climate.
20 Mar 2026
Why tech alone can’t save journalism
The internet didn't just change the news. It also changed our reality. In his first public speech since stepping down as VP of News at Google, Richard Gingras offers a rare, insider’s look at the evolution of our digital information system and why technology alone won't fix the future of journalism. Angela Pacienza, executive editor at The Globe and Mail, joins him to discuss the path forward.
6 Feb 2026
How AI is revolutionizing newsroom workflows
Journalism is being rebuilt in real time, with AI being the most powerful tool in the construction kit. Nikita Roy from Newsroom Robots Lab sat down with Sonali Verma from International News Media Association, Christine Boyd from CBC News and Nicholas Hune-Brown from The Local to unpack how AI is changing journalism at every level, for better or worse.
28 Jan 2026
What digital deception looks like and how to outsmart it
From scam calls to deepfakes of real reporters, artificial intelligence has only made it easier and faster to fool the public. Indicator co-founder Craig Silverman says knowing the tricks is the first step to protection. He sat down with CTV News national anchor Carolyn Jarvis to discuss the events that brought us here and how we can navigate the new face of digital deception. This live-taped interview was presented in partnership with MediaSmarts for this year’s Media Literacy Week.
20 Jan 2026
Why inclusive journalism in Canada matters
As anti-diversity movements grow beyond Canada’s borders, the media industry reaches a turning point. In this CJF J-Talks conversation, presented in partnership with Informed Perspectives, global speaker Farah Nasser led a conversation with Karyn Pugliese from APTN News, Nick Davis from CBC News and Priya Ramanujam from the Toronto Star and past CJF Journalism Fellow Aajah Sauter exploring why inclusion in the newsroom isn’t optional and what the industry needs to do better.
6 Jan 2026
Why news creators are pivoting to video — again
With TikTok and YouTube Shorts shaping how people discover news and information, journalists are leaning into video and going straight to these platforms where audiences already are. Broadcast journalist Ginella Massa joined filmmaker Johnny Harris, multi-award-winning journalist Sophia Smith Galer and Stephanie Wilson Chapin of YouTube Canada to unpack what journalism looks like today and how independent creators can make it sustainable.
27 Oct 2025
What the public doesn't know about journalism
Distrust of media, often rooted in misunderstanding of journalism’s purpose and how journalists do their jobs, is nothing new. For our first episode and in celebration of Media Literacy Week, we’re bringing back a conversation that deserves another listen. Veteran public editor Kathy English sat down with Sandra Martin of The Globe and Mail, former CBC ombudsman Jack Nagler, The Guardian’s Elisabeth Ribbans and the Toronto Star’s Donovan Vincent. They cut through the noise to talk about what people often get wrong about journalism — and why that actually matters.
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