4110 - Decolonizing Journalism: Changing the Narrative

Delivery Options ON-LINE

Course Description

Colonialism isn’t just Canada’s past — it’s also Canada’s present. This course explores how colonial structures continue to shape the country’s national identity, institutions, and media landscape.

From renewed attention on national symbols like King Charles III and the War of 1812, to pressing issues such as policing, immigration, and Canada’s relationship with the United States, the colonial legacy is everywhere. Even the four pillars of Canadian democracy — the legislative, executive, judicial, and the press (along with the education system) — rest on colonial foundations.

This course asks: Where have we come from? And where do we go from here?

Designed as a space for bold ideas and critical reflection, this course blends theory with open discussion to challenge assumptions behind Canada’s institutions, with a special focus on journalism and the news media.

Decolonization will be examined through four key lenses:

Indigenous peoples
The Black experience
The Francophone space
The Global South

Each lens will be explored by leading Canadian journalists who bring their professional and lived experiences to the classroom via live online webinars:

Desmond Cole
Lela Savic
Shree Paradkar

Participants will also have the opportunity to pitch story ideas to a diverse range of editorial partners, including:

Metroland Media, CBC First Person, The Local, Ricochet, Ku'Ku'kwes News, Maisonneuve Magazine, Broadview Magazine, Africa is a Country, The Narwhal, La Converse, New Lines Magazine, The Rover, Inuit Art Quarterly, IndigiNews, Eagle Feather News, THIS Magazine, The Grind Magazine (Toronto), and Palestine Square.

Learning Outcomes

Define decolonization in the context of journalism in Canada.
Appreciate the role of a journalist in honouring Truth and Reconciliation.
Explore ethnocentric framing by critically examining how the language and narratives used to frame news stories shape both public opinion and the policy making process.
Interrogate the concept of objectivity in journalism.
Acquire trust-building techniques in covering under-served communities, including reporting with a trauma-informed approach.
Adopt storytelling approaches that serve the community rather than extract from them.