Just because the Corporation won’t let us go to work doesn’t mean we can’t do the work we love to do!

Sometime next week, CMG members will launch an internet-based media service for the public. It will present journalism, and eventually other programming, produced by CBC’s locked out reporters, researchers, writers, hosts, producers, technicians and support staff and will adhere to the same standards the Canadian public expects from CBC professionals.

Various ad-hoc groups have been meeting in Toronto and around the country to develop the idea. The CMG leadership has now approved the project and, since we are without a collective agreement, there are no conflict issues to prevent us from providing quality content to our audiences.

We plan to begin with a text and picture site. It will be followed closely by an English National daily newscast which will be available via podcast and downloadable file at 6PM EDT (our French colleagues are also developing programming suitable to their audiences). Once those streams are running, we could expand to provide more local, regional and national news, current affairs and entertainment content?.and even some ?moving picture’ TV elements.

One of the main issues at the steering committee concerns quality and credibility. To make sure our new service has both, we need you to volunteer and commit. Any time spent working on this news service will count toward up to 10 of your 20 hours per week of lockout duty. We need writers, editors, reporters, photographers, camera operators, researchers, technicians, resource experts.. every position that you would find in any other newsroom.

To volunteer, please send an email to: newscmg@hotmail.com
Please include your:

> NAME:
> CITY:
> PHONE NUMBER:
> E-MAIL:
> TYPE OF WORK YOU’D LIKE:
> YOUR REGULAR JOB:
> PREFERRED DAYS AND HOURS TO WORK:
> EQUIPMENT YOU COULD USE OR MAKE AVAILABLE:

As responses come in, volunteer co-ordinators will be in touch to schedule your shift. We need people across the country. Remember, this DOES count toward your lockout duty.

This project is coming together very quickly. The Toronto group is close to finalizing office/studio space; we have a good name, which will be announced shortly for maximum publicity; and we have the skills to remind the audience of how professional CANADIAN journalism looks and sounds.

Please email newscmg@hotmail.com now.