What if journalists came out of their isolation to think about the future of the profession? For a rare time, citizens were able to interact directly with media artisans during the first Carleton-sur-Mer International Journalism Festival (FIJC), this weekend. An opportunity for them to share their expectations of the environment, but also to better understand it.
“It was necessary to create an event like that. Journalists, we read them, we see them on TV, we listen to them on the radio daily, but in reality, we never really have the opportunity to speak to them directly, to share our opinion with them and to ask them issues. However, as citizens, we are their first customers,” points out Solange Morrissette.
The former executive director of the Réseau des organizers de spectacles de l’Est-du-Québec (ROSEQ), who was also a cultural columnist for Radio-Canada in the 1980s, has maintained a great interest in current affairs and the journalistic. Without hesitation, she traveled from Rimouski to attend the first edition of the FIJC, in Baie-des-Chaleurs.
For three days, citizens, apprentice journalists and community artisans were able to come together to attend a whole range of activities. Together, they discussed the war in Ukraine, information fatigue, the quality of French on the radio or the media deserts in the region. The public was also able to meet Florence Aubenas, a major reporter for the French daily The world, who came to discuss her professional career and behind the scenes of her reporting. Photo exhibition, documentary theater and cinema session were also on the program.
“It’s quite rare to have an event like this, in the region, all the more so. For me, news is essential, so it’s interesting to be able to talk to journalists about the profession and the subjects covered, ”says André Philippe, a resident of Nouvelle, near Carleton-sur-Mer.
“It’s a great gateway for citizens,” adds Solange Morrissette. It allows us to better understand the job of journalist, and it’s interesting to see how much the community questions itself a lot to regain the confidence of the public. »
An opinion shared by Anne Leblanc. This resident of Carleton-sur-Mer enjoyed meeting in person those whom she sees every day delivering the news on television. “It creates connection. We realize that the environment is accessible and attentive to people,” she notes, delighted to have been able to reflect on current issues.
” Mission accomplished “
The general director of the festival, Bertin Leblanc, gives a positive assessment of this first edition. Each workshop—about fifteen—welcomed an average of 120 to 150 people, three-quarters of whom were citizens curious to learn more about the media environment and current affairs in general.
“A lot of people came from the region, from the Gaspé, but there were also people from Quebec, Montreal, New Brunswick, who made the trip. […] For me, it’s mission accomplished. Our number one objective was to create a civic festival. And we did it,” he rejoices.
Above all, he says he is satisfied to have succeeded in creating this essential space for exchanges between citizens and media workers. “It made it possible to understand each other better and to allow the public to learn while having fun,” he says.
The FIJC will be back next year for a second edition, during the weekend preceding National Patriots’ Day. Carleton-sur-Mer will still be the host city of this meeting, but the director does not close the door to subsequently exporting the event in another form elsewhere in the province.
Our journalist is in Carleton-sur-Mer at the Festival’s invitation.