The Discourse is a finalist for SIX Canadian Online Publishing Awards (COPAs) — a major recognition for a small, independent team like ours.
For the second year running, we’re turning heads on a national stage, competing against big players including the CBC, Global News and The Walrus. Last year, The Discourse won six COPAs, more than any other publisher.
“This is a community effort and we share this recognition with our communities,” said Managing Editor Jacqueline Ronson. “Our reporters are committed to deeply serving their neighbours with in-depth local news, and I’m not at all surprised that others are noticing the quality of their work.”
“I want to especially recognize the community members who support us financially. I’m deeply touched when people show us how much they value this work. Their voluntary contributions allow us to keep our journalism free for everyone — regardless of ability to pay.”
Check out our award-nominated work:
- Best Community News Website: This award recognizes our team’s innovative work delivering meaningful local news through our community newsletters, website and social media. We share the honour with our friends at Indiegraf, who developed and launched our beautiful new website earlier this year.
- Best Audience Development Series: For the History in Cowichan email series, with local history stories by Shalu Mehta, Jacqueline Ronson, Jared Qwustenuxun Williams, Mat Pereira and Rashika Srivastava.
- Best Feel Good Story: For “10,000 steps towards a better future”: Q’shintul/Mill Bay Nature School holds ceremony to launch new project, by Shalu Mehta
- Best Multicultural Story: For To tackle anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare, this community group connects healthcare providers with Indigenous mentors, by Lauren Kaljur
- Best Investigative Article: For The city provides water. These tenants want to know why they’re paying a private company for it, by Julie Chadwick. As a result of this article, the BC Utilities Commission is investigating the company to decide if it must be regulated as a public utility.
- Best Local Community News: To Shalu Mehta for her community engagement and reporting on Cowichan water issues, including this article about the Koksilah River and the Xwulqw’selu Connections project.
The Discourse is part of Discourse Community Publishing, a group of independent publishers in B.C. We’re thrilled to say that our whole publishing family is getting the recognition it deserves. IndigiNews is a finalist for five Canadian Online Publishing Awards, Sun Peaks Independent News is up for one, and The Wren, a brand-new publication serving Kamloops, is up for two.
Both Sun Peaks Independent News and The Wren are finalists for Best Community News Website, along with The Discourse. Could we sweep the podium? We certainly think we could!
The Canadian Online Publishing Awards will announce the winners in February, 2023. Stay tuned!
