HALIFAX, March 25 /CNW/ - The Atlantic Journalism Awards (AJAs), in
conjunction with CNW Group, has announced a series of professional development
workshops for journalists and others to be held during the day on Saturday,
May 3, as part of the AJAs annual celebration of journalistic excellence. The
workshops will be hosted at the new Nova Scotia Community College Waterfront
campus in Dartmouth, NS.
    The 9 am morning workshops include; Pounding It Out with Panache, a
writing workshop presented by Rob Russo and Kevin Ward of the Canadian Press;
and
    The Multimedia Journalist with Jeff Harper, photographer with The
Chronicle Herald. An all morning workshop, Critical Thinking, will be
presented by Renée Pellerin of CBC. Another morning session is Watch What You
Say and Write with Dean Jobb of the University of King's College, School of
Journalism.
    The 2 pm session consists of a panel discussion with audience
participation on the topic Freedom of Information legislations. Moderated by
former broadcaster Yvonne Colbert, the panel consists of Darce Fardy,
President of Right to Know Coalition of NS; Peter Haggert, Editor, The Daily
Gleaner, Fredericton; Doug Keefe, Retired Deputy Minister, NS Department of
Justice; Jacques Poitras, CBC Fredericton; and Linden MacIntyre, the fifth
estate, CBC Toronto. There is no charge for the afternoon session, and
registration is not required. It is open to anyone wishing to attend.
    A networking lunch will be held at the Community College after the
morning workshops, followed by a tour of the College's new broadcast studios
and facilities. Transportation to and from the NSCC Waterfront campus in
Dartmouth will be provided from the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, plus
there is plenty of parking at the College.
    The registration fee includes lunch and the facilities tour. Morning
workshop participants will also be presented with a certificate of completion
suitable for framing.
    In announcing the workshops Bill Skerrett, Executive Director of the
AJAs, thanked the Canadian Press, plus photographer Jeff Harper, and all the
experts on the afternoon panel for contributing their time and effort for the
workshops. CNW Group regional Vice-President, Janet Gallant, also expressed
her appreciation to CBC and Dean Jobb for their efforts to make the series a
success.
    Details and registration information for the morning workshops and
afternoon FOI panel can be found at either www.AJAs.ca, click on Workshops, or
go to, http://www.newswire.ca/en/extras/custom/bmail_079_workshop/