Canadaland launches “CanadaLabs,” a hub for the next generation of audio journalists, and opens calls for short audio stories from across Canada and applications to become Canadaland’s first Audio Journalism Fellows.
Toronto (February 14, 2024) — Canadaland, Canada’s leading independent podcast network, is proud to announce the launch of CanadaLabs – a much-needed, multipronged effort that will afford opportunities for emerging journalists and audio creators to learn, build their skills and networks, and get their work and stories in front of Canadaland’s engaged audience.
“Canadaland was founded because there are local stories that need to be told, institutions that need to be held to account, and a need for a fierce independent journalism from a diversity of voices and perspectives. As Canadaland turns 10, we embrace the role we can play in the future of Canadian journalism writ large. CanadaLabs will enable us to share our knowledge, resources, and platform to ensure a future for our industry at an increasingly precarious moment.” Jesse Brown, Publisher, Canadaland.
In its inaugural year, CanadaLabs will roll out a series of initiatives including:
A “Local Correspondent” Audio Contest – an open call for short, local audio stories to be featured on Canadaland
An Audio Journalism Fellowship Program delivered in partnership with Journalists for Human Rights
An ongoing series of workshops and events, hosted in Canadaland’s Toronto newsroom
Launching today, Canadaland’s “Local Correspondent” Audio Contest will solicit short, finished pieces from journalists and audio producers across Canada that tell local stories from new perspectives in inventive and compelling ways. Led by audio industry stalwart Julie Shapiro (former executive producer of Pulitzer Prize finalist Ear Hustle and co-founder of the Third Coast International Audio Festival), the contest will afford audio journalists and makers of all levels the opportunity to have their work distributed broadly via Canadaland’s flagship show. In an industry that increasingly struggles to support the discovery of new voices, the selected published work will be a calling card with which to open doors and create future opportunities.
Delivered in partnership with the team at Journalists for Human Rights, Canadaland’s Audio Journalism Fellowship Program will offer emerging journalists a paid opportunity to gain valuable hands-on newsroom experience. With guided mentorship from Canadaland’s team of journalists and editors, fellows will get a chance to actively participate in Canadaland’s investigative journalism and will have an opportunity to develop and produce their own story.
Curated by the Canadland editorial team and featuring the country’s most prominent journalists and industry leaders, Canadaland will open the doors to its studio and newsroom for an ongoing series of events. Through workshops, bootcamps, and panel discussions, audio journalists will have the opportunity to meet, learn, network, create community, and cultivate their craft. All sessions will be followed by hosted informal networking opportunities. With the generous support of Lead Workshop Partner Acast.
“This is a pivotal moment for Canadian journalists and audio makers, and we are committed to playing our part to ensure that the next generation has an opportunity to have their talents nurtured and their voices heard. Coming from the world of film, where these types of programs are tried and tested, I have seen initiatives like CanadaLabs foster community, build strong networks, and create a more robust infrastructure that ultimately launches careers and creates sustainability.” Alan Black, Chief Operating Officer, Canadaland.
CanadaLabs is proudly supported by Amazon Music, the Perspective Fund, and Acast. Canadaland’s Audio Journalism Fellowship Program is delivered in partnership with Journalists for Human Rights. CanadaLabs’ exclusive design partner is Made by Emblem.
For more information about CanadaLabs, visit www.canadaland.com/canadalabs.
About Canadaland
Canadaland is an independent news and podcast company consistently producing some of the best audio journalism and podcasts in Canada. Through the ongoing support of a growing community of over 10,000 supporters and a wide range of advertisers and partners, we provide over 10 million listeners a year with free, high-quality audio content focused on media, news, current affairs, politics, and narrative investigations and stories. Between our flagship show CANADALAND, our broad slate of widely popular podcasts, and our critically-acclaimed limited series like Thunder Bay and The White Saviors, Canadaland’s shows and brand have become renowned in Canada and internationally for telling compelling stories not being told otherwise, for giving voice to a wide array of perspectives and points of view, and for sparking vital conversations.
