CBC Manitoba will be at the U of M each weekday from Monday, Jan. 20 to Friday, Jan. 31 to hear issues that matter to students. This initiative is part of Communities in Focus, a community news bureau project that intends to hear stories from Manitobans and share them with others in the province.
“Here at CBC Manitoba, we recognize that we need to do a better job at reflecting underrepresented groups,” said Nadia Kidwai, senior producer of CBC Manitoba’s Community Connection. Through Communities in Focus, a team from the CBC Manitoba’s newsroom goes to a community to spend time and meet with members to hear the stories that they want to tell.
“We have no agenda, we’re not going in response to something,” said Kidwai. “It’s really to build trust, and really for us to do a better job in getting to know the communities that we are meant to reflect and meant to represent.”
Kidwai explained that Communities in Focus has concentrated on geographical locations, but is now focused on an age demographic that is underrepresented — Gen Z. “We want to do a better job at reflecting and understanding what stresses you out, what’s important to you, what matters to you.”
CBC Manitoba will be setting up a remote studio in the UMSU University Centre fireside lounge where they will be filming and broadcasting live. “There’s going to be tons of other people from the newsroom coming on different days,” stated Kidwai, who will be there for the whole two weeks in addition to CBC Manitoba journalist Gavin Axelrod and videographer Travis Golby.
On Jan. 20, a welcome event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., where CBC Manitoba and the U of M community will introduce themselves. Free lunch will be provided for up to 500 students.
Kidwai will be holding community office hours on Jan. 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29 and 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where students can drop by without cameras and microphones to share their story or question with CBC Manitoba. Shared stories during office hours may amount to future stories covered by CBC Manitoba.
Panel discussions moderated by Kidwai consisting of a few students giving their perspectives on topics will occur on Thursday, Jan. 23 and Thursday, Jan. 30 from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on YouTube. “It’s meant to be much more unfiltered, relaxed, not like a typical CBC interview — just a bit more chill,” said Kidwai.
Winnipeg’s weekday drive-home show, Up to Speed, will be broadcast live on campus on Wednesday, Jan. 22 and Wednesday, Jan. 29 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. CBC Manitoba encourages students to drop by, watch the show and enjoy a coffee and donut.
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, there will be a CBC Asks Townhall that aims to look at the primary issues facing international students today.
In November 2024, CBC Manitoba spent two weeks exploring the issues that matter to Gen Z students at Red River College Polytechnic.
“This is really important now for a public broadcaster to really fulfill [its] mandate, to reflect and represent all demographics, all political thinking,” said Kidwai. “I would just really encourage everyone at the U of M to make the most of this opportunity and come hang out and chat with us.”
CBC Manitoba wants to hear your ideas for topics to discuss on the panel discussions occurring on Thursday, Jan. 23 and Thursday, Jan. 30. What matters to you? What are you talking about with your friends? Text 204-296-0846.
