New press club

It is true the days of the 20th century press clubs, dominated by heavy drinking, smoking, cursing and the occasional fist fights, are over.

As are the days of top-drawer drinkers in the newsroom.

But what isn't obsolete is the need for a meeting place for men and women in the media, where they can mingle, talk shop, listen to guest speakers in person or via the Internet etc.

We all know there is a lot to talk about. Revive the pride in journalism. Renew the focus.

Journalists, young and old, would benefit from a new press club. Club management should be keen on attracting journalists from all ports - print, broadcast and the Internet.

Perhaps it could be Ryerson-affiliated. Many of today's journalism vets are Ryerson alumni and a bonding of young Internet-savvy scribes and older journalists would be enlightening.

TSF received this suggestion from a Ryerson grad:

"I can see a place for a reinvigorated press club, as someone who missed out on the era.

"As a Ryerson grad myself, I'd call on the School of Journalism and its Journalism School alumni association to step in and save the Canadian News Hall of Fame.

"Those two groups may also have a role to play in a new press club - perhaps with a wee bit of help from the venerable ol' Imperial Public Library."

Our experiences in frequenting press clubs in Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver over the decades were mostly positive.

While the old ways and days are gone, a new 21st century press club environment for novices and veterans would be ideal in these tumultuous times.