Ginella Massa has announced she won’t be returning to helm her prime time CBC News Network show Canada Tonight in the fall as she moves on to pursue “personal projects.”
“As many of you know, I have been on maternity leave for nine months after giving birth to my beautiful daughter last October. During this transformative period, I have taken the time to contemplate what success truly means to me, and what other ways I can meaningfully contribute to this fast-changing media landscape,” wrote Massa, in a post to her social media channels Thursday morning.
Massa, who joined the public broadcaster in the fall of 2020, says going forward she’ll be focusing on further building her personal brand “through media consulting, brand partnerships, and public speaking engagements, which I have wanted to pursue for some time.” She’s also accepted a part-time teaching position at Toronto Metropolitan University in the Journalism program.
Prior to joining CBC, Massa was an anchor and reporter with CityNews Toronto. She made history in 2015 during her time at CTV Kitchener when she became the country’s first hijab-wearing TV news reporter. Her move to CityNews saw her make history again as the first woman in hijab to anchor a major newscast in Canada. In addition to Canada Tonight, she also served as a fill-in host on flagship CBC newscast The National and CBC Radio’s As It Happens.
“I recognize that my departure from primetime TV may be disappointing news to those who look up to me as an example of what Muslim women can achieve in the mainstream media,” wrote Massa. “But I hope my time with CBC News can serve as a catalyst for others to step up to the plate, and for decision-makers to create meaningful opportunities for those who traditionally have not had a seat at the table. I have always said that I may be the first, but I certainly do not want to be the only or the last.”
Massa said she won’t be completely disappearing from the airwaves, with plans to continue appearing as an occasional contributor to radio and television.
Dwight Drummond, host of CBC Toronto News at 6 p.m., has been filling in for Massa on Canada Tonight during her maternity leave.
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