Two talented journalists are joining the Investigative Journalism Bureau this summer as part of an annual internship that is developing the next generation of investigative reporters in Canada.
Shaina List and Vihaan Bhatnagar were selected from a group of the country’s most promising young reporters for this year’s competitive IJB/Unifor Investigative Summer Internship program funded by Canada’s largest private-sector union.
Bhatnagar, who is graduating this year from TMU’s School of Journalism, has previously served as news editor for The Eyeopener, TMU’s independent student newspaper. There, he covered the student union, medical emergencies in TMU residences, changes to the university’s tuition policy for Iranian students and multiple lawsuits against the university.
“During my four years at the School of Journalism, my focus was on developing an eye for real stories in the public interest, as well as the investigative skills necessary to report on them,” said Bhatnagar. “I can’t think of a better way to learn and grow than working with experienced journalists at a newsroom like the IJB.”
List, who holds a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Waterloo, said she came into journalism because she’s always been fascinated by questions about justice.
“I am most in my element when I can deep-dive into a topic, so I felt right at home when I discovered investigative journalism during my graduate certificate at Humber College,” she said.
As senior reporter for Humber Et Cetera, she covered youth radicalization, police corruption and the courts.
List and Bhatnagar will spend four months working on public-interest investigations under the guidance of IJB staff.
This is the sixth year Unifor has sponsored the IJB’s summer internship program. The summer internship has already helped 10 early-career journalists hone their investigative reporting skills. Many have gone on to high-profile positions across Canadian media.
The union also co-sponsors the CJF/IJB Black Investigative Journalism Fellowship program, which brings an early-career Black reporter to the IJB for six months.
At a time when the Canadian media sector faces relentless job cuts, the two programs establish Unifor and the IJB as leaders in fostering top journalism talent in Canada.
“For six years, Unifor has proudly supported this internship because we know it makes an important contribution to the future of journalism,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
“Media workers play a critical role in strengthening our democracy, and it’s more important than ever that young reporters are supported as they develop the investigative skills our communities rely on. Investigative journalism holds power to account while protecting our communities. Our union is excited to see the stories these determined journalists will pursue.”
IJB founder and director, Rob Cribb, said Unifor’s support has changed the lives of a growing number of young journalists while strengthening public interest reporting that serves all Canadians.
“This is visionary support at a time of unprecedented need in journalism,” he said. “Giving young reporters a chance to gain unique investigative skills, hold power to account and share meaningful revelations with Canadians is a dream come true for them and a big win for the public’s right to know.”
The Investigative Journalism Bureau is a non-profit, impact-driven newsroom telling deeply-reported stories in the public interest.
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