CBC/Radio-Canada & Canadian Journalism Foundation Pact

CBC/Radio-Canada and the Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) have joined forces to launch two new fellowships for Black journalists.

The CJF-CBC/Radio-Canada Black Journalism Fellowship, open to all genders, and The CJF-CBC/Radio-Canada Black Women’s Journalism Fellowship will provide unique opportunities for early-career Black journalists to be hosted by a CBC News or Radio-Canada Info newsroom. Over a six-month period, the chosen fellows will receive mentoring and training in video and audio editing, writing, research and investigative reporting.

Each fellow will receive a full-time stipend and write or produce an article/piece that will be considered for publication or broadcast. Applications for both new fellowships will open on January 18, 2021.

Catherine Tait, president and CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada, said: “We’re honored to be spearheading this initiative with the Canadian Journalism Foundation. Offering these fellowships for English- and French-speaking Black journalists across the country is another way we ensure that Black Canadians see and hear themselves—their experiences and their perspectives—reflected in our content and in our workforce. This is how we serve Canadians.”

Natalie Turvey, president and executive director at CJF, said: “Who tells the story matters. This fellowship program will expand the range of voices and experiences that Canadians watch, hear and read from Canada’s diverse communities. This opportunity highlights the CJF’s support for the development of a generation of Black media leaders and content creators across the industry. These opportunities would not be possible without the generous support of our founding sponsors.”

Matt Galloway, host of The Current for CBC Radio One and CJF Board Member, said: “All institutions, including CBC/Radio-Canada, have been called upon to do more to address systematic racism and discrimination internally and to truly reflect the populations we serve. Time’s up. Let’s get to work. I’m excited to hear the stories the recipients of these fellowships tell us.”