Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?

From Canada:

• Discourse Media plans in-depth reporting on six key issues in Canada with new beat structure [Journalism.co.uk]
• Six key takeaways from the Public Policy Forum’s report on media [J-Source]
• A new report suggests 12 ways Canada can strengthen its struggling news ecosystem [Nieman Lab]
• Call for submissions: CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowships [CNW]
• The Disruptor: After 14 years, The Tyee continues to distinguish itself from mainstream media [Ryerson Review]
• Digital Publishing Awards accepting freelancer submissions [Magazine Awards]
• 'It could go on ... forever': Chronicle Herald strike hits 1-year mark [CBC]

From The U.S. and beyond:

• The Internet sets writers free…to get new audiences, and also to “dive into a giant flaming garbage pile” [Nieman Lab]
• 'I'm doing three beats right now': Confessions of a millennial newspaper reporter [Digiday]
• US: six journalists charged with rioting while covering inauguration unrest [IFJ]
• Postmedia issues layoff notices [J-Source]
• We broke the Panama Papers story. Here's how to investigate Donald Trump [The Guardian]
• Four more journalists get felony charges after covering inauguration unrest [The Guardian]
• What does an audio producer actually do, anyway? [Nieman Lab]
• This Is What Science Says About What Writing Does to You [Freelance Writing Jobs]

Recently on Story Board:

• CMG Freelance mourns Keith Maskell, long-time CMG staff member: "Keith had so many skills – and brought wit and intelligence to so many difficult files. In particular, he played a huge role in developing our union’s unique ability to represent and advance the issues facing freelancers, at CBC and elsewhere"...
• SABEW Canada Best in Business awards application deadline February 16: If you’re a freelance business writer, it’s time to get your application ready for the 2017 SABEW Canada Best in Business awards competition...
• Greg Clark Award open for applications: Freelancers who have been working on the news and editorial side of newspapers, TV and radio news, and online publications for between one and five years are eligible to apply for the Greg Clark Award...
• Newsroom staff and freelancers mark one-year anniversary of the start of the Chronicle Herald strike: Today marks the one-year anniversary of the beginning of the strike at Halifax’s Chronicle Herald newspaper...

Spot a story you think we should include in next week's Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.