Making National News: A History of Canadian Press

Canadian Press is a venerable institution, but there have been few formal studies of it. Veteran journalist Allen addresses that lack, beginning with CP's origins during WWI, an age when Canadian news was often quite regional or filtered through the sensibilities of Americans. Allen divides CP's history into seven periods: the decade of its formation; the era when it was formulating its relationship to the government, eventually eschewing subsidy for independence; the era when it struggled to adapt to the new medium of radio; the challenges of the WWII; the post-war era; the 1960s and the rise of a true Canadian consciousness; and finally a grand overview of journalism from the 1920s to the 1970s. The prose is detailed, clear and informative. Lavish endnotes and a lengthy bibliography are provided. The work is fascinating not just for the compact history of the CP that it provides but the perspective it provides on Canada. CP's evolution parallels those of other Canadian institutions and certain events, such as the effects of radio, and casts an illuminating light on current technological challenges facing CP. Insightful and informative, this text will stand as the definitive history of Canadian Press. (Oct.)