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Stephanie Matteis joins Media Studies faculty
Journalism has arrived at an intersection.
Change is coming from all directions: what’s reported, how it’s reported, to whom.
Who better to teach aspiring reporters how to navigate the rapid and constant change than a working journalist?
The University of Guelph-Humber Media Studies program has several on faculty this semester, including Stephanie Matteis, who teaches Introduction to Journalism and Public Relations to first-year students on Fridays.
“We can be modern and current while respecting the past,” said Matteis, on her approach to the class.
A CBC reporter, she files news stories to TV, radio and online programming – a cycle of deadlines – in the run of a day. Matteis, who has her Masters in Journalism, has won awards for documentaries on CBC’s The National and the Discovery Channel.
The demands and the tools may have changed, but the fundamentals haven’t.
“The need for good storytelling and solid content hasn’t gone away,” said Matteis.
That’s how both journalists, and public relations professionals, connect with their audience, she said.
“Professor Matteis is a 21st century media specialist,” offered Media Studies program head Jerry Chomyn by email. “The ideal professor is one not only with the academic credentials but who is also currently employed in the media industry and can therefore provide students with the theoretical and practical education that’s the hallmark of Guelph-Humber.”
Matteis is using diverse material to explore historic and contemporary philosophy and practice of journalism. She’s used Page One, the acclaimed 2011 documentary and accompanying book about the New York Times to draw students into discussion on core values such as truth and accuracy. Their enthusiastic and thoughtful responses have energized Matteis, whose own career started in newspapers.
“It’s personally enriching to be here,” she said. “It feeds my passion for what I do.”
For this journalist, standing in front of those students, the future of media looks promising.
Find out more about the Media Studies program at University of Guelph-Humber.
Sean Flinn, Web Communications Specialist, 416-798-1331, ext. 6299, sean.flinn@guelphhumber.ca