Layoffs and the threat of layoffs among Canadian journalists may be compromising investigative reporting in this country.

That was suggested by Sean Holman, assistant professor of journalism at Mount Royal University in Calgary and a former syndicated columnist and legislative reporter for 24 hours Vancouver and the Vancouver Sun.

Holman’s take on this issue in his blog “Unknowable Country” was prompted by the recent news that Postmedia (which publishes the National Post, Calgary Herald, Ottawa Citizen and others) laid off five parliamentary bureau staff. In an internal memo, Postmedia said  manager Christina Spencer and the remaining four staff members would be joining  the Citizen to create a “strong political desk based out of the Citizen,” according to J-Source. Continue reading →