PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The event opened with a panel on the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Columnist Isabelle Hachey (left) went to Israel a few days after the attack on October 7. “I went to a hotel on the edge of the Black Sea, where there were all the survivors of the Be’eri kibbutz. It was very difficult because they were people in a state of shock, people who had lost parents, brothers, children,” she confided. Columnist Laura-Julie Perreault (right) for her part testified to the difficulty in obtaining reliable information and testimonies from the Gaza Strip.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
From relationships of trust to requests for access to information, our parliamentary correspondents in Ottawa, Joël-Denis Bellavance (center) and Mylène Crête (right), revealed their best tips for getting the scoop. “Sometimes men and women in politics prefer to comment on social media. I try to get around that by building special connections, going for coffee, taking an interest in them,” confided Mr. Bellavance.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Journalists Katia Gagnon (right) and Caroline Touzin (left) and columnist Patrick Lagacé (center) then discussed the delicacy required to cover human stories. Mme Touzin returned to the story of Aïcha, a young migrant who found herself homeless in Quebec a few weeks after giving birth. The readers’ reaction had an impact on her, since following this report, a Montreal family offered the young woman accommodation. “As a journalist, this is what motivates our work,” she said.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Correspondent in the United States Richard Hétu (right) and columnist Yves Boisvert (left) spoke about American politics, and more particularly about former President Donald Trump, who is facing justice. “A verdict against him in one of the trials could have a significant impact [sur la campagne électorale]but it is so divided in the United States that nothing is impossible, even if he is convicted,” Mr. Hétu said.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Journalist Léa Carrier (right) and columnist Marie-Eve Fournier (center) then discussed their desire to highlight different social issues. Mme Fournier focused on the behavioral and learning disorders that affect many children, while Mme Carrier addressed the rise in popularity of masculinist influencers among young people.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Journalist Dominic Tardif (center) and columnist Chantal Guy (right) discussed the death of Cowboys Fringants singer Karl Tremblay, which shook Quebec two weeks ago. Upon hearing the news, Mme Guy was “in total denial,” she said. “The time my daughter saw me cry the most because of the death of a public figure was Karl Tremblay,” added Mr. Tardif.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
What challenge will Quebec television have to face? “Conventional television must rejuvenate its audience,” replied journalist Marc-André Lemieux (right). For his part, columnist Hugo Dumas (left) expects a shift towards digital TV in the coming years and the disappearance of specialized channels, such as Canal Vie and Canal D. “We will still see them, but these contents will be repatriated to platforms,” believes Mr. Dumas.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Cartoonist Serge Chapleau concluded the evening with his best drawings of the year, punctuated by a few jokes. “I am here this evening; out of respect for the public, I am not in Dubai,” he said, referring to the Quebec-Dubai round trip of the president of the FTQ, Magali Picard.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The evening, hosted by our collaborator Rose-Aimée Automne T. Morin and our columnist Marc Cassivi, was recorded in front of an audience and broadcast online. This event was offered exclusively to donors of The Press to thank them for their support. At the end of the evening, the duo of hosts highlighted the important contribution of journalist specializing in cinema Marc-André Lussier, who passed away last June, after having worked for 45 years at The Press.