Now on J-Source: Calls to suppress Rolling Stone cover 'should make any journalist queasy;' Closing community newspapers represents a dark trend; Crowdfunding platform Vourno expands to Canada

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Jul 25, 2013, 12:57 ET

TORONTO, July 25, 2013 /CNW/ -

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OPINION: Calls to suppress Rolling Stone cover 'should make any journalist queasy'
By Lynn Cunningham
Rolling Stone's cover of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev sparked widespread debate, but Lynn Cunningham says most of the critics likely never read the article — which is "a masterful piece of investigation and storytelling." The Ryerson University journalism professor and former magazine editor argues it would have been less controversial if the suspect "hadn't appeared so attractive," but still, calls to eliminate the cover from the public should be concerning for all journalists.

Closing community newspapers represents a darker and more serious trend
By Robert Washburn
The impact of Sun Media closing eight weekly community newspapers is substantial, an act that can be seen as a canary in the coal mine for the news industry. Journalism professor Robert Washburn argues that while major urban news media continuously hold the attention of the public, academics and journalists, the issues facing rural Canada are both unique and universal.

Write up to women, not down: A response to a study that shows women don't care about 'current affairs'
By Shannon Rupp
Here's a theory that could help newspapers win their most lucrative ad audience back: Perhaps editors should pay more attention to studies of what women actually do instead of relying on what market researchers say they do, argues The Tyee's media columnist Shannon Rupp. Stats show women have more formal education than men and prefer long, narrative reads. Rupp says those stats suggest "your female audience is smart and you'd better be writing up to them, not down."

Crowdfunding platform Vourno expands to Canada
By Eric Mark Do
If you want to raise money for a video journalism project, you could look to crowdsourcing platforms such as Indiegogo or Kickstarter, or, the newest platform: Vourno. It allows journalists to raise money for video news stories. It also wants to become an independent news network for video journalism. Founder Joseph Verdirame gave J-Source a rundown of what Vourno is all about as the company enters the Canadian market and just as the platform had its first participant successfully reach his funding goal.

Gary Mason's influence in the sport of politics
By Cara McKenna
Gary Mason's articles have helped to prevent mayoral candidates from getting elected, exposed controversial deals with the provincial government and uncovered secret negotiations. Cara McKenna examined The Globe and Mail's Western Canada columnist's career and some of the controversies along the way, in an article from the Langara Journalism Review.

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