Spencer Izen (he/him)'s Avatar

Spencer Izen (he/him)

@spencerizen.bsky.social

deputy managing editor and opinion editor @ubyssey.ca. researcher @bcfipa.bsky.social. http://SeeDisclaimer.com

459 Followers  |  1,012 Following  |  138 Posts  |  Joined: 13.11.2024
Posts Following

Posts by Spencer Izen (he/him) (@spencerizen.bsky.social)

Post image

Are you interested in information access and privacy? Join the Access & Privacy Special Interest Section (APSIS). They will be meeting virtually next week on March 12, 2026 at 1 PM (EST) / 11 AM (PST). To register, please visit archivists.ca/event-6554573.

06.03.2026 03:00 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Why the Martlet is asking for a fee increase We're asking you to vote yes to our first fee increase since 1999 so we can keep telling stories that matter.

This election season, the Martlet is asking you to vote β€˜yes’ to raise our student fee levy for the first time since 1999. Read to learn why!

martlet.ca/why-the-mart...

27.02.2026 00:22 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Thanks, everyone | Tumbler RidgeLines Get more from Tumbler RidgeLines on Patreon

Good time to re-up: the Tumbler Ridge newspaper is literally one person who is doing his best to update his community while grieving along with them. One-time donations can be etransferred to publisher@tumblerridgelines.com or ongoing via
www.patreon.com/posts/thanks...

17.02.2026 01:04 β€” πŸ‘ 168    πŸ” 60    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1

A couple of Canadian journalists (myself included) have started a fundraiser for Trenth Ernst & Tumbler Ridgelines. Since the shooting, he's stopped writing. We're hoping to get him some short-term support for these hard times.

Donate here: www.gofundme.com/f/support-tr...

18.02.2026 20:57 β€” πŸ‘ 98    πŸ” 62    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 4

The Tumbler Ridge newspaper puts it better than I could

17.02.2026 00:58 β€” πŸ‘ 2381    πŸ” 808    πŸ’¬ 11    πŸ“Œ 24
Also, posted these on my site, but posting here, mostly in case media wants to use. Dear media: Rights are as such:  I know  I am the local reporter but I have been so tied up with media requests and trying to get information out to community, I haven’t been outside in eight hours, so these are the images I have. 

Everything I know I have posted to my lives on Facebook and later, YouTube. If you want to grab stuff that’s okay, but we are a community funded newspaper. You can use any of this information, if, and only if you pinky promise to make a donation. We have a patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/c/tumblerridgelines

I don’t have an easy way for one time donations, but I have this:

 https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/204606215-Can-I-make-a-one-time-payment

Images are : A group of worried parents gather outside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School as RCMP investigate inside. The students were soon sent to the nearby community centre to shelter in place there. 

And RCMP take up position outside a home on Fellers, where two additional bodies were found.

Also, posted these on my site, but posting here, mostly in case media wants to use. Dear media: Rights are as such: I know I am the local reporter but I have been so tied up with media requests and trying to get information out to community, I haven’t been outside in eight hours, so these are the images I have. Everything I know I have posted to my lives on Facebook and later, YouTube. If you want to grab stuff that’s okay, but we are a community funded newspaper. You can use any of this information, if, and only if you pinky promise to make a donation. We have a patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/c/tumblerridgelines I don’t have an easy way for one time donations, but I have this: https://support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/204606215-Can-I-make-a-one-time-payment Images are : A group of worried parents gather outside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School as RCMP investigate inside. The students were soon sent to the nearby community centre to shelter in place there. And RCMP take up position outside a home on Fellers, where two additional bodies were found.

A message from Trent Ernst, the only reporter who lives in Tumbler Ridge

11.02.2026 06:50 β€” πŸ‘ 70    πŸ” 40    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
HonestReporting Canada’s targeted harassment machine - J-Source A self-professed media watchdog has been weaponizing antisemitism and trying to poison journalistic standards on covering Palestine. Media workers on the perils of the relentless intimidation and disi...

j-source.ca/honestreport...

04.02.2026 14:12 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
The Minnesota Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, the Minnesota Reformer, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Sahan Journal, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement:

β€œWe strongly condemn the arrest of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon, as well as any attempt to intimidate members of the press. The First Amendment recognizes the press as holding a distinct and protected role in our democracy. In America, we do not arrest journalists for doing their jobs. The Minnesota journalism community stands united in defense of press freedom and the essential role reporting plays in holding power to account.”

The Minnesota Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, the Minnesota Reformer, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Sahan Journal, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement: β€œWe strongly condemn the arrest of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon, as well as any attempt to intimidate members of the press. The First Amendment recognizes the press as holding a distinct and protected role in our democracy. In America, we do not arrest journalists for doing their jobs. The Minnesota journalism community stands united in defense of press freedom and the essential role reporting plays in holding power to account.”

The Minnesota Star Tribune, @mprnews.org @minnesotareformer.com , @spokesmanrecorder.bsky.social, @sahanjournal.bsky.social, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement:

30.01.2026 16:55 β€” πŸ‘ 2767    πŸ” 1106    πŸ’¬ 23    πŸ“Œ 37
Post image

Lawyers for Reporters–Canada is looking for a Program Coordinator!

Education, preferably in law, journalism or a public policy-related field, will be considered a significant asset, as will a graduate degree.

For more information, visit the CAJ Job board: https://loom.ly/Cb_38iU

11.12.2025 12:02 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
De-influencing news influencers "It may be easy to follow the most popular news influencers out there, but is it possible to trade out that consumption for one who is in your community?"

β€œIt may be easy to follow the most popular news influencers out there, but is it possible to trade out that consumption for one who is in your community?”

www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/de-i...

10.12.2025 18:57 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 8    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

The Lind Initiative will bring Rachel Maddow to UBC on March 5. She is one of six speakers in a free series. Veteran NYT global affairs columnist Thomas L. Friedman is the first on Jan. 22, followed by Charity Weeden (Feb 5), Hasan Piker (Feb 12), Dread Scott (Feb 25), and Carlos Lozada (Mar 26).

03.12.2025 04:22 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
No room for debate - J-Source Postmedia quietly whittles away local viewpoints from the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Regina Leader-Post

Postmedia quietly whittles away local viewpoints from the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Regina Leader-Post j-source.ca/no-room-for-... via @jsource.bsky.social

08.11.2025 04:03 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Find out what @canadajrp.bsky.social plans for the 3rd wave of the @jrpproject.bsky.social, including content analysis of Cdn. news stories & insights on use of AI in journalism in this new article in @jsource.bsky.social by @nicoleblanchett.bsky.social
#jrp #jrpcanada #journalism #research #data

24.10.2025 13:00 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Is Print the Future of Local News? This Co-Op Thinks So | The Tyee Freshet News, owned by workers, has launched to cover Burnaby, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities.

Spurred on by local supporters and backed by their union, four laid-off journalists established a workers’ non-profit co-op to create a new community-focused publication. Freshet News launched its website and weekly newsletter last week.

thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...

24.10.2025 16:51 β€” πŸ‘ 139    πŸ” 45    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 1

I'm going to make sure this takes off in the office lol

23.10.2025 16:12 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Lois lane says you have to say off the record beforehand

Lois lane says you have to say off the record beforehand

Friendly reminder to interim U.S. attorneys

21.10.2025 12:03 β€” πŸ‘ 2224    πŸ” 325    πŸ’¬ 27    πŸ“Œ 13
Preview
Eby says B.C. tried to involve private owners in Cowichan Aboriginal title case British Columbia Premier David Eby says the province previously tried unsuccessfully to get private property owners involved in the landmark Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title case.

Eby says B.C. tried to involve private owners in Cowichan Aboriginal title case cheknews.ca/eby-says-b-c...

21.10.2025 15:17 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Why Canada needs a trust ecosystem in government Canada’s resilience depends on trust β€” not just in government, but between leaders, public servants and citizens.

Trust should be a two-way street between governments and the public

policyoptions.irpp.org/2025/10/trus...

@policyoptions.irpp.org

17.10.2025 15:41 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

What happens when a celebrated scientist is accused of fabricating results to promote his patented product? We’ve obtained a leaked investigation report into misconduct at UBC, and we’re making the findings public for the first time.

theijf.org/ubc-misconduct


#bcpoli #science #CBC

15.10.2025 11:30 β€” πŸ‘ 31    πŸ” 16    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1

My thoughts exactly

11.10.2025 21:46 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
BC Ferries union members report 'disturbing levels' of abuse from passengers With the Thanksgiving long weekend underway, the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union is asking travellers to be patient with members, as a "disturbing" number of ferry workers report abuse from the publi...

BC Ferries union members report 'disturbing levels' of abuse from passengers cheknews.ca/bc-ferries-u...

11.10.2025 21:42 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
47 VPD officers made over $100K in OT last year β€” and one banked $239K, FOI data shows | CBC News A single Vancouver police sergeant was paid $239,258 in overtime alone last year, on top of the rank's base pay of up to $158,000. The figure comes from a freedom of information request filed with the...

A single Vancouver police officer made $397,258 last year, making $239,258 in overtime on top of their base pay of up to $158,000.
This is the wildest FOI I've seen in a long time. Well done Liam Britten for digging this up. #CBC
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

06.10.2025 16:37 β€” πŸ‘ 130    πŸ” 69    πŸ’¬ 8    πŸ“Œ 14
Preview
You won’t believe what degrading practice the pope just condemned Communication must be freed from clickbait and misguided thinking, head of Catholic church tells journalists

β€œThe pope has condemned clickbait as a β€œdegrading” part of journalism”

Well there you have it folks.

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne... via @theguardian.com

10.10.2025 17:29 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Raphael Lemkin Coined the Word Genocide. What Would He Say Today? | The Tyee The haunting story of the refugee driven to name and prevent the greatest crimes of all.

Raphael Lemkin Coined the Word Genocide. What Would He Say Today? via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/Culture/2025...

29.09.2025 15:42 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Why provincial cabinets deserve more attention in Canadian politics Premiers may be more powerful than the PM within their provinces. Research shows why provincial cabinet governance deserves more study.

β€œWe have long-term plans to study all 10 provincial and three territorial cabinet systems …”

This is really important and exciting work.

policyoptions.irpp.org/2025/09/cabi...

@policyoptions.irpp.org

28.09.2025 18:27 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
This image depicts nine recommendations provided to UBC in the Audit of the University of British Columbia's duty to assist. 
Full report: https://www.oipc.bc.ca/documents/infographics/3025
1. UBC begin counting the time limit to respond on the day after an FOI request is received and only suspend the time after notifying the applicant of the requirement to pay the application fee.
2. Public bodies that administer an application fee clearly inform applicants of all available payment options.
3. UBC executive promote a culture of transparency throughout all program areas to improve FOI responsiveness. This includes monitoring program area accountability.
4. UBC staff follow up promptly if searches for records become overdue.
5. UBC continuously monitor its FOI system and correct delays in responding to FOI requests.
6. UBC evaluate the effectiveness of its FOI file tracking system within six months.
7. UBC eliminate the backlog within one year of this report.
8. UBC provide onboarding and refresher training to FOI staff on its duty to assist applicants including time limits, time extensions, and required notifications.
9. UBC protect applicant anonymity (including journalist/media applicant anonymity) when responding to FOI requests.

This image depicts nine recommendations provided to UBC in the Audit of the University of British Columbia's duty to assist. Full report: https://www.oipc.bc.ca/documents/infographics/3025 1. UBC begin counting the time limit to respond on the day after an FOI request is received and only suspend the time after notifying the applicant of the requirement to pay the application fee. 2. Public bodies that administer an application fee clearly inform applicants of all available payment options. 3. UBC executive promote a culture of transparency throughout all program areas to improve FOI responsiveness. This includes monitoring program area accountability. 4. UBC staff follow up promptly if searches for records become overdue. 5. UBC continuously monitor its FOI system and correct delays in responding to FOI requests. 6. UBC evaluate the effectiveness of its FOI file tracking system within six months. 7. UBC eliminate the backlog within one year of this report. 8. UBC provide onboarding and refresher training to FOI staff on its duty to assist applicants including time limits, time extensions, and required notifications. 9. UBC protect applicant anonymity (including journalist/media applicant anonymity) when responding to FOI requests.

Recommendations from the Audit of the University of British Columbia's Duty to Assist.

Full overview text: www.oipc.bc.ca/documents/in...

25.09.2025 20:24 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

There are folks who like to take "sides" in local media, cheering for or against organizations or journalists like they're heroes or villains in the ongoing struggle for truth.

But in B.C., it's more like an ecosystem. There are places you might like less or more, but they all contribute.

11.09.2025 01:55 β€” πŸ‘ 124    πŸ” 12    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

Global is a really important part of BC’s news ecosystem

Just to name one example, they were able to break a series of important stories about the Noelle O’Soup case globalnews.ca/news/9032414...

11.09.2025 01:43 β€” πŸ‘ 50    πŸ” 18    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2

Global News laid off 26 journalists in B.C. and Alberta today.

In B.C. the layoffs include virtually all of the online team, along with many others.

The business is increasingly cruel, and the hollowing out of newsrooms providing fair and reliable information continues to suck.

11.09.2025 00:30 β€” πŸ‘ 629    πŸ” 215    πŸ’¬ 33    πŸ“Œ 34

I think this is part of it, but only part. The other part is an information environment of rampant, unrestrained mis & disinformation and a society filled with people primed to read less and not just not care, but take pride in ignorance.

02.09.2025 15:45 β€” πŸ‘ 49    πŸ” 11    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0