TORONTO – TV Ontario's new Ontario Hubs is a new journalism initiative which the provincial educational broadcaster says will aim to bring together far-flung corners of the province via balanced, in-depth analysis of the news of the day.
Funded through the generous support of The Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman, Ontario Hubs “add relevant local context to complex issues that matter to our communities, our province, and our world,” reads Wednesday’s press release.
“Ontario Hubs allow us to bring more in-depth content and more perspectives to Ontarians,” said TVO CEO Lisa de Wilde in a press release. “It's exciting that it is through the generosity of TVO donors that we are creating this new network of journalists who will focus on in-depth analysis of regional issues that are important to people all across the province.”
The initiative includes four new staff journalists embedded in communities across Ontario who will create and lead networks of freelancers and contributors. The Hubs team will create articles for tvo.org, segments for The Agenda with Steve Paikin every Friday, and short documentaries. Stories will focus on issues that impact communities across the province, including coverage of Indigenous communities and issues.
"Ontario Hubs address a gap in the existing media landscape where regional current affairs perspectives are becoming a rare commodity," added John Ferri, TVO vice president, current affairs and documentaries, in the release. "This type of regional journalism is vital to a healthy democracy. Ontario Hubs give voice to groups and people who are not always heard."
Two of four hubs were officially launched today – one covering Northwestern Ontario and based in Thunder Bay; and a second hub covering Southwestern Ontario, based in London. Two additional hubs will be announced later this fall.
TVO is also building new partnerships and internship programs with colleges and universities, including Thunder Bay's Confederation College and London's Western University.
