Who we are

Ink-stained Wretches is a grassroots advocacy group dedicated to building a culture of appreciation for quality journalism in aid of democracy.

Founded in early 2020 by a scrum of former Waterloo Region Record newsroom staffers

More than 50 volunteers in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Although we co-ordinate an annual journalism film festival, our premier project is the #SpotlightPressFreedom campaign to raise awareness for UN World Press Freedom Day. 

See Details

We don't want your money...we want your participation!

If your press club, media guild/union or advocacy group would like to explore working with us to build a culture of appreciation for quality journalism — or if you'd like to volunteer as an individual

Contact Us
Mirko Petricevic
chief ink-stigator (co-ordinator)
Reporter, photographer, copy editor (1986-2014)
Christian Aagaard
Reporter, columnist, deputy city editor (1990-2012)
Richard Brennan
Political reporter, city editor
David Cooke
MPP, Kitchener, (1985-1990)
Jeff Ducharme
Reporter, photographer, journalism instructor (1990-2024)
Chuck Howitt
Reporter, copy editor, assistant city editor (1979-2013)
(Rev.) John Lougheed, Waterloo Region and Saugeen Shores.
Eugene McCarthy
Reporter (1959-2002) RIP
Carolyn McLeod-McCarthy
editorial graphic artist (1991-2012)
Cathy Miehm
Online editor and copy editor (1997-2016)
Tom Nunn
Business reporter (1984-1998)
Dave Pink
Reporter, opinion and sports editor (1989-2012)
Robert Reid
Arts reporter (1986-2015)
Barry Ries
Reporter (1980-1994)
John (Jack) Simpson
Freelance
"Without democracy, there will be no independent press. And without an independent press, there can be no democracy.”

- Martin Baron, Collision of Power.