Canadian Ethnic Media Association

The Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA), formerly the Canadian Ethnic Journalists and Writers Club, is an organization for professionals engaged in the field of print and electronic journalism and creative writing.

The membership fee covers attendance at regular meetings to which members are invited to meet with and hear leading personalities from the world of politics, education and the arts and sciences. In addition, two gala dinners are held each year.

CEMA upholds the principles of Canadian citizenship and multiculturalism and maintains and the right of freedom of expression without ethnocentric bias. The emphasis of CEMA is on the exchange of ideas rather than lobbying , although when necessary, statements are made on pressing topics to whomever they may concern such as the exclusion of ethnic journalists from sources of news and information open to mainstream media.

CEMA operates as an independent organization, without financial support from governments.

History

In 1978, Sierhey Khmara (Marian) Ziniak, editor/publisher of the Byelorussian Voice, poet and essayist, founded the Canadian Ethnic Journalists and Writers Club (now CEMA). Until that time, existing ethnic press associations were for publishers of print media only and excluded editors and reporters. Marian Ziniak believed there should be an inclusive organization for ethnic journalists who practised in all media: print, radio and television. He also felt that there should be a place in the Club for men and women writers of poetry, non-fiction and fiction.

Club Activities

September through November and February through June, CEMA holds meetings to which prominent speakers are invited. No charge is made to members to attend these meetings.

In recent years, speakers at CEMA meetings have included:

Jean Charest, Premier of Quebec ; Preston Manning , former leader of the Reform Party; Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Mike Harris, former premier of Ontario; Ontario Management Board Chair Gerry Phillips; Ontario Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Children Marie Bountrogianni; Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman; Canadian Broadcast Standards Council Chair Ronald I. Cohen; Howard Hampton, leader of the Ontario NDP; Toronto Mayors David Miller, Mel Lastman and Barbara Hall ; Rosemary Sadleir, president of the Black History Society of Ontario; Frances Lankin, president United Way of Greater Toronto; and representatives of Census 2001, the 2008 Toronto Olympic Bid, World Youth Day 2002 and Canadas Aboriginal peoples.

Mosaic in Media, is an anthology of writings by club members, showcasing the rich diversity of talent that flourishes in Canadas ethnic media. COPIES OF THE SECOND EDITION ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS AT $15.00.

Each spring, the club presents juried awards to journalists for excellence in their field, and the competition is open to all journalists in any language whether or not they are members of the Club. In addition, the Sierhey Khmara Ziniak Award in honour of the founder, goes to a single person based on a body of work celebrating Canadas diversity.

A gala Seasons Dinner is held in late November or early December as a salute to the festivities of goodwill and friendship observed by people of all faiths and origins at various times throughout the year.

Members also receive invitations to special outings and press conferences of interest to ethnic media.

CEMA regularly updates its website to advise members of meeting details and other events in their fields of interest and also sends out both e-mail and snail-mail notification. Regular Internet updates are also e-mailed to members.

Board of Directors

Current Executive Officers of CEMA are: Chair, Madeline Ziniak - National Vice President for Television, OMNI TV; President, Dat Nguyen - Publisher and Editor, “Thoi Bao” and TV/AVP Producer;  Second Vice President, Bill Yancoff - TV Producer, “Macedonian Heritage Hour”; Secretary, Doreen Vanini - Freelance Writer & Thai Community Representative; Treasurer, Irene Chu – Advisor Toronto Chinese Writers Association and C.C. Times Weekly; Board Members: Ben Viccari – Publisher and Editor, Canscene; television commentator (CEMA President, 1999-2008); Elena Zolotko – Columnist, Russian Weekly “Canadian Courier”; Gina Valle -Book Author; Hyo Kim – Publisher, “Korea Central Daily”; Jules Elder - TV Associate Producer and TV commentator; Kati Rekai, C.M. - award-winning author of childrens books and radio broadcaster on CIAO’s “Hungarian Hour”; Kiumars Rezvanifar - TV Producer, “Pasargad Today” and “Iran Zameen Today”; and, Zuhair ‘Kash’ Kashmeri - freelance writer and broadcaster.

Membership

There are four categories of membership: Active, Associate, Student and Non-Resident (those living outside the GTA)

• ACTIVE (Voting Membership) : Any person receiving regular remuneration for his/her work in the fields of journalism, production in the electronic media or creative writing. Any person editing a regular bulletin or newsletter on interracial, intercultural rerlations for a non-ptofit organization. Fee: $25 per annum, due on January 1 of each year.
• ASSOCIATE (Non-Voting Membership); Any person working in related fields such as public relations or ethnic contacts in non-profit or for-profit organizations. Fee: $40 per annum
• STUDENT (Non-Voting Membership) : Any student enrolled in journalism classes or school/internet programs involving the creating of intercultural, interracial relations. Fee: $15 per annum
• NON-RESIDENT (Voting Membership): Any person eligible for Active membership living outside the GTA. Fee: $20.

Membership Inquiries

E-mail Madeline Ziniak