I would like to submit an impact statement by one of our coop students, Lawrence Rodrigues. I am submitting Lawrence's journalistic (writing the article and video editing) work as an example how in the case of this coop student working with RPTV has influenced him personally, and how he has become aware of the wider impact of the Local Journalism Initiative.
"My name is Lawrence Rodriguez, and I've been part of the FOCUS Media Arts Centre since September 2022, initially joining for my first semester of Co-op. Returning for another semester now, I've amassed a total of 10 months of experience here. Throughout this time, I've delved deep into media communications and community journalism, gaining invaluable insights. My recent article, in particular, has deepened my appreciation for capturing the essence of people's passions, ideas, and dreams. Witnessing their passion drives me to help amplify their voices and bring their aspirations to life. I am driven by the opportunity to serve as a vessel for their dreams to reach fruition." Lawrence Rodrigues, youth journalist FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE
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About LJI
LJI Impact is the section of commediaportal.ca where the journalists and their organizations participating in CACTUS' Local Journalism Initiative can share their greatest successes.
Through the written stories, photos and videos you see in the LJI Impact section, you'll be able to read first hand accounts about how the presence of a community journalist is making a difference in communities across Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative and the Community Media Portal.
The Community Media Portal is a gateway to the audio-visual media created by community media centres across Canada. These include traditional community TV and radio stations, as well as online and new media production centres.
Community media are not-for-profit production hubs owned and operated by the communities they serve, established both to provide local content and reflection for their communities, as well as media training and access for ordinary citizens to the latest tools of media production, whether traditional TV and radio, social and online media, virtual reality, augmented reality or video games.
The Community Media Portal has been funded by the Local Journalism Initiative (the LJI) of the Department of Canadian Heritage, and administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS) in association with the Fédération des télévisions communautaires autonomes du Québec (the Fédération). Under the LJI, over 100 journalists have been placed in underserved communities and asked to produce civic content that underpins Canadian democratic life.
