Mary Lou Finlay
Encyclopedia
Mary Lou Finlay is a Canadian
radio and television journalist
, best known for hosting various programs on CBC Radio
and CBC Television
.
Finlay graduated from the University of Ottawa
in 1967 with a BA
in English and French literature. For three years she did writing and researching for the Canadian War Museum
before her leap to journalism when she began hosting a CBC Ottawa television magazine.
In 1975, Finlay moved to Toronto
to co-host CBC Television's Take 30
. She hosted her own program, Finlay and Company, in 1976 and 1977 and developed a loyal following. In 1978 she moved to CTV
to co-host and produce the award-winning Live It Up!.
In 1981 she became co-host with Barbara Frum
of CBC Television's nightly current affairs program, The Journal. After the program's first year, Frum remained as host and Finlay became a documentary reporter, remaining with the program until 1988. In that year she became host of CBC Radio
's current affairs program Sunday Morning
, where she remained until the spring of 1994. From 1994 to 1997, she hosted Now The Details, CBC Radio's weekly media watchdog program.
Finlay became co-host with Barbara Budd
of As It Happens
on September 1, 1997, having to cover the death of Diana, Princess of Wales
on her first day. She retired following her last appearance on November 30, 2005, which was a tribute show for Finlay celebrating her years with the CBC.
In 2008, she released The As It Happens Files: Radio That May Contain Nuts (Knopf Canada), a book of reminiscences of her time on the show.
Finlay is now a fellow with the Centre for the Study of Democracy
at Queen's University
in Kingston, Ontario
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
radio and television journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, best known for hosting various programs on CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
and CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
.
Finlay graduated from the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
in 1967 with a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in English and French literature. For three years she did writing and researching for the Canadian War Museum
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, the museum covers all facets of Canada’s military past, from the first recorded instances of death by armed violence in Canadian history several thousand years ago to the country’s most recent...
before her leap to journalism when she began hosting a CBC Ottawa television magazine.
In 1975, Finlay moved to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
to co-host CBC Television's Take 30
Take 30
Take 30 was a Canadian television newsmagazine series, which aired on CBC Television from 1962 to 1983...
. She hosted her own program, Finlay and Company, in 1976 and 1977 and developed a loyal following. In 1978 she moved to CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
to co-host and produce the award-winning Live It Up!.
In 1981 she became co-host with Barbara Frum
Barbara Frum
Barbara Frum, OC was a Canadian radio and television journalist, acclaimed for her interviews for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.-Personal life:...
of CBC Television's nightly current affairs program, The Journal. After the program's first year, Frum remained as host and Finlay became a documentary reporter, remaining with the program until 1988. In that year she became host of CBC Radio
CBC Radio One
CBC Radio One is the English language news and information radio network of the publicly-owned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It is commercial free and offers both local and national programming...
's current affairs program Sunday Morning
Sunday Morning (radio program)
Sunday Morning was a Canadian radio news and information program, which aired on CBC Radio One. The magazine style program was one of the highest budget shows on CBC Radio and featured documentaries, interviews, round table discussions, book reviews, arts reports, puzzles and various features...
, where she remained until the spring of 1994. From 1994 to 1997, she hosted Now The Details, CBC Radio's weekly media watchdog program.
Finlay became co-host with Barbara Budd
Barbara Budd
Barbara Budd is a Canadian actress, narrator and radio announcer. Between 1993 and April 30, 2010, she was the co-host of CBC Radio One's As It Happens....
of As It Happens
As It Happens
As It Happens is a long-running interview show on CBC Radio One in Canada. Its 40th anniversary was celebrated on-air on 18 November 2008. It has been one of the most popular and acclaimed shows on CBC Radio; it is also distributed in the United States by Public Radio International.The bulk of the...
on September 1, 1997, having to cover the death of Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
on her first day. She retired following her last appearance on November 30, 2005, which was a tribute show for Finlay celebrating her years with the CBC.
In 2008, she released The As It Happens Files: Radio That May Contain Nuts (Knopf Canada), a book of reminiscences of her time on the show.
Finlay is now a fellow with the Centre for the Study of Democracy
Centre for the Study of Democracy
The Centre for the Study of Democracy is a multidisciplinary policy studies research organization which enhances the study of democracy both within Canada and abroad. Founded in the mid-1990s, CSD is a non-profit, non-partisan organization affiliated with the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s...
at Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
.
Awards
- Martin Goodman Nieman Fellowship at Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. - LL.D(hon), Dalhousie University.
- Meritas Tabaret award, University of Ottawa.