Is that a cliff up ahead or just a steep dip in the road?

Is the newspaper dead or just in the shop for a major overhaul?

More than 100 journalists turned up at the MaRS centre on College Street in downtown Toronto Saturday morning to talk about the future of news.

The Canadian Association of Journalists hosted the one day workshop designed to examine some of the hottest issues facing the news business.

Visionary online leaders Jim Brady and Bill Buxton were among the headliners.

The Canadian Association of Journalists has about 1,000 members and offers both professional development and public interest advocacy.

Brady is the former web editor at The Washington Post. He is in the midst of launching an online local news site based in Washington. The unnamed site has created a buzz because it has put out the welcome mat for 50 journalist to staff the new venture. Hiring is rare in the news business these days.

Buxton is the principal researcher at Microsoft Research. During a speech at the end of the day Buxton said there's a good chance the newspaper will die within five years.

A spirited panel discussion during an afternoon session heard from Star publisher John Cruickshank. Cruickshank said it was time for newspaper managers and their unions to pull together.

He said newspaper executives can't save the business on their own.

 
  

Photos:

Top: Toronto Star intern reporters Thandi Vela (left) and Ann Hui cover one of the workshop sessions.

Middle: More than 100 journalists gave up their Saturday to talk about the future of the business.

Bottom: Jim Brady, former web editor for The Washington Post, and Toronto Star veteran reporter Phinjo Gombu.