The National Post is launching an exciting new speaker series in partnership with the Investigative Journalism Bureau.
The IJB Press Club will restore the magic of after-hours gathering spots where reporters, policy makers, politicians and the public once met to discuss issues of the day. These types of gatherings used to dot the country, usually located within a couple of blocks of newsrooms where a steady stream of editors and reporters would mix with public relations staffers, political operatives and news junkies to continue discussions ripped from that day’s front pages. They were places of collegiality, spirited arguments and, on occasion, some very good ideas that would ultimately make their way into the newspaper and the public discussion.
The IJB, a non-profit investigative newsroom at the University of Toronto supported by Postmedia Network Inc., started experimenting with this idea a couple of years ago in small venues across Toronto. IJB director, Rob Cribb, welcomed prominent public figures to one-on-one discussions in front of a crowd with no questions off limits and no time restrictions. The strong public interest they created set the stage for our partnership that will see the IJB Press Club hosted on the 11th floor of Postmedia’s headquarters on Bloor St. E. in Toronto.
You can expect a behind-the-curtain peek at intriguing figures who are making the news you follow, either through the journalism they are creating or the public impact they are having on our lives. The discussions will be candid and enlightening. And your input will be welcome.
Our inaugural event, taking place Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m., features the IJB’s Cribb in discussion with Rick Westhead, one of Canada’s leading investigative reporters who has, for years, dug into the darker side of sports, including breaking open the headline-grabbing story of sexual assault charges against four NHL players. His new, best-selling book on the culture of hockey in Canada explores the role of the game in our communities and families. Their discussion will go deeper to address the role of journalism in bringing uncomfortable truths about Canada’s game to light.
Tickets are available for purchase here. Space is limited. Postmedia subscribers get a discounted rate for the events, which we hope to make a regular point of connection with our readers. Please use promo code SUB-26 to receive a discount on pricing.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Rob Roberts,
Editor-in-Chief, National Post
