When it comes to hard-hitting journalism in our city, the Toronto Star continues to shine on the national stage. In what’s becoming a welcome tradition for Toronto’s media landscape, the Star has once again been recognized for excellence in investigative reporting at the prestigious Best in Business Awards.
The recent accolades highlight something I’ve observed throughout my career covering Toronto news – our city benefits tremendously from robust, investigative journalism that holds power to account and illuminates issues affecting everyday citizens.
I caught up with Irene Gentle, editor of the Toronto Star, at a downtown café following the announcement. “These recognitions affirm our commitment to serving Toronto readers with journalism that matters,” Gentle told me, stirring her coffee thoughtfully. “In an era where local news faces unprecedented challenges, we’re doubling down on stories that drive real change.”
The Star’s winning investigation delved into housing affordability issues across Toronto neighborhoods, revealing concerning patterns in development approvals and their impact on vulnerable communities. Their reporting team spent months analyzing public records and conducting interviews with residents from Scarborough to Etobicoke.
Jordan Bitove, Toronto Star publisher, emphasized the importance of sustained investment in local reporting. “While many news organizations have scaled back investigative teams, we’ve maintained our commitment to this essential work,” Bitove explained during our phone conversation. “Toronto deserves journalism that goes beyond surface-level coverage.”
The investigation has already prompted city council to revisit several development policies, according to Councillor Ana Bailão, who chairs Toronto’s Planning and Housing Committee. “The Star’s reporting highlighted critical gaps in our oversight processes that we’re now addressing directly,” Bailão confirmed.
What struck me about the Star’s award-winning work was its meticulous attention to Toronto-specific details. Rather than approaching housing as a generic national issue, their team captured the unique challenges facing distinct neighborhoods, from Parkdale’s rental pressures to rapidly transforming areas along new transit lines.
Toronto journalist and media analyst John Miller considers this hyperlocal focus essential. “The strongest investigative work connects broad issues to specific local impacts,” Miller explained when I spoke with him at Ryerson University’s School of Journalism. “The Star excels at showing Torontonians how complex policies affect their specific communities.”
According to recent data from the Canadian Journalism Foundation, investigations like these generate measurable civic engagement. Their 2023 study found that deep local reporting typically increases public meeting attendance by 34% and community feedback submissions by nearly 50%.
Having covered Toronto’s media evolution for over a decade, I’ve witnessed firsthand how these investigative projects ripple through our city. Last year, I followed community meetings in Liberty Village where residents referenced Star reporting while questioning developers about affordable housing commitments.
The recognition comes at a pivotal moment for Toronto journalism. Recent Statistics Canada data shows local newsroom staffing has declined 43% nationwide since 2010, with investigative teams often facing the deepest cuts. Against this challenging backdrop, the Star’s continued excellence represents a vital countertrend.
For everyday Torontonians, these investigations translate to tangible outcomes – improved rental protections, greater transparency in development processes, and more responsive governance. When journalism functions at its best, it serves as both watchdog and community connector.
Walking through neighborhoods featured in the Star’s reporting last week, I noticed community bulletin boards displaying printed copies of their articles – evidence that despite the digital transformation of news, impactful local journalism still finds its way into the physical spaces where Torontonians gather and connect.
As our city continues growing and evolving, maintaining this caliber of investigative reporting will be essential to navigating complex urban challenges thoughtfully and equitably. The Star’s recent recognition isn’t just about celebrating excellent journalism – it’s about acknowledging the vital civic infrastructure that quality local reporting provides for Toronto.
