Joanne Helmer was a prolific columnist, editorial writer and reporter at the Lethbridge Herald between 1975 and 2000. As the primary editorial writer and columnist during the 1980s and 90s, she maintained the liberal and progressive tradition at the Herald until she left in 2000. Through her writing, she took to heart the expectation that media should bravely and intelligently challenge the decisions of governments at all levels. She championed human rights, indigenous justice, environmental issues and women's choice on a regular basis. Her experience raises the possibility of several areas of research, including coverage of indigenous issues in the media in Canada, the dramatic right turn in politics in North America, women in the media, and media concentration.
