Wency Leung
@wencyleung.bsky.social
Reporter at The Local @thelocal.to
Pronounced "wen-see," she/her.
Pronounced "wen-see," she/her.
Reposted by Wency Leung
This is a stunning article in @thelocal.to & a tribute to @nickhunebrown.bsky.social's integrity/investigative skills as an editor.
It describes an open pitch that led to an "author", who pitched stories with bogus quotes & previously published articles that don't exist.
thelocal.to/investigatin...
It describes an open pitch that led to an "author", who pitched stories with bogus quotes & previously published articles that don't exist.
thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM
This is a stunning article in @thelocal.to & a tribute to @nickhunebrown.bsky.social's integrity/investigative skills as an editor.
It describes an open pitch that led to an "author", who pitched stories with bogus quotes & previously published articles that don't exist.
thelocal.to/investigatin...
It describes an open pitch that led to an "author", who pitched stories with bogus quotes & previously published articles that don't exist.
thelocal.to/investigatin...
Reposted by Wency Leung
📣SOURCE CALL OUT📣 Has your dermatologist tried upselling you? (Like, trying to sell a cosmetic procedure when you're in for a mole). Or, have you struggled to land an OHIP-covered appt but was able to get in fast for something not covered? I'd love to chat for a story in @thelocal.to DMs are open!
November 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
📣SOURCE CALL OUT📣 Has your dermatologist tried upselling you? (Like, trying to sell a cosmetic procedure when you're in for a mole). Or, have you struggled to land an OHIP-covered appt but was able to get in fast for something not covered? I'd love to chat for a story in @thelocal.to DMs are open!
Since I started reporting on education, I've puzzled over why the official version of how things work at the TDSB is often at odds with the experiences I hear from families. Nowhere is this gap more apparent than in special education. This story is an attempt to get at why.
Advocates have long struggled to improve special education at the TDSB. But now that the board is under supervision, they’re finding transparency and accountability are disappearing. New from @wencyleung.bsky.social:
thelocal.to/tdsb-special...
thelocal.to/tdsb-special...
Special Education Policy Vs. Practice at the TDSB | The Local
For years, the TDSB's special education advisory committee has pressed for accountability from the board. Since the province's takeover, that's become harder than ever.
thelocal.to
November 21, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Since I started reporting on education, I've puzzled over why the official version of how things work at the TDSB is often at odds with the experiences I hear from families. Nowhere is this gap more apparent than in special education. This story is an attempt to get at why.
ICYMI, this stellar piece by @nickhunebrown.bsky.social demands a reflection of where the journalism industry is going, and how we got here. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
ICYMI, this stellar piece by @nickhunebrown.bsky.social demands a reflection of where the journalism industry is going, and how we got here. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Reposted by Wency Leung
"Victoria Goldiee” had freelanced for The Cut and The Guardian. After Nicholas Hune-Brown, executive editor of The Local, greenlit her pitch, the red flags started popping up. www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/ever...
“Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves”
Back in August, the Press Gazette's Charlotte Tobitt reported that Wired and Business Insider had taken down AI-generated articles by a "freelancer" named "Margaux Blanchard." It was a case study of…
www.niemanlab.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:49 AM
"Victoria Goldiee” had freelanced for The Cut and The Guardian. After Nicholas Hune-Brown, executive editor of The Local, greenlit her pitch, the red flags started popping up. www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/ever...
Reposted by Wency Leung
NEW: Bill 33, which Education Minister Paul Calandra has indicated he will use to take over more school boards and replace trustees with supervisors, has passed third reading and is set to become law. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1153148...
globalnews.ca/news/1153148...
Ontario bill to give education minister more power over school boards set to become law | Globalnews.ca
On Wednesday, Bill 33 passed its third reading at Queen's Park after a shortened debate and bypassing committee, with Royal Assent set to follow.
globalnews.ca
November 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
NEW: Bill 33, which Education Minister Paul Calandra has indicated he will use to take over more school boards and replace trustees with supervisors, has passed third reading and is set to become law. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1153148...
globalnews.ca/news/1153148...
As MPPs vote on Bill 33, check out @royinori.bsky.social's analysis of what it would mean for colleges and universities thelocal.to/bill-33-onta...
Doug Ford Is Trying to Control How Universities Operate | The Local
Ontario’s Bill 33 mandates merit-based admissions and gives the province unprecedented power over university and college operations. Is it part of a broader right-wing crackdown on campuses?
thelocal.to
November 19, 2025 at 4:48 PM
As MPPs vote on Bill 33, check out @royinori.bsky.social's analysis of what it would mean for colleges and universities thelocal.to/bill-33-onta...
Reposted by Wency Leung
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves." You will want to read this investigation on how The Local's Nick HUne-Brown uncovered what seems to be an ambitious AI journalism scam that's hit major publications worldwide.
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor @nickhunebrown.bsky.social to investigate their past work. In the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, removed articles from their sites. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 19, 2025 at 4:17 PM
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves." You will want to read this investigation on how The Local's Nick HUne-Brown uncovered what seems to be an ambitious AI journalism scam that's hit major publications worldwide.
Reposted by Wency Leung
Love a good mystery in the hands of @nickhunebrown.bsky.social
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 19, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Love a good mystery in the hands of @nickhunebrown.bsky.social
Reposted by Wency Leung
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves." Brilliant essay/investigation by @nickhunebrown.bsky.social into journalism scammers in the age of AI.
thelocal.to/investigatin...
thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves." Brilliant essay/investigation by @nickhunebrown.bsky.social into journalism scammers in the age of AI.
thelocal.to/investigatin...
thelocal.to/investigatin...
Reposted by Wency Leung
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves." This
@nickhunebrown.bsky.social
piece about journalism grifters in the age of AI slop is fantastic, bonkers & sad on so many levels thelocal.to/investigatin...
@nickhunebrown.bsky.social
piece about journalism grifters in the age of AI slop is fantastic, bonkers & sad on so many levels thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 19, 2025 at 2:59 PM
"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves." This
@nickhunebrown.bsky.social
piece about journalism grifters in the age of AI slop is fantastic, bonkers & sad on so many levels thelocal.to/investigatin...
@nickhunebrown.bsky.social
piece about journalism grifters in the age of AI slop is fantastic, bonkers & sad on so many levels thelocal.to/investigatin...
Reposted by Wency Leung
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor @nickhunebrown.bsky.social to investigate their past work. In the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, removed articles from their sites. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 19, 2025 at 1:37 PM
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor @nickhunebrown.bsky.social to investigate their past work. In the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, removed articles from their sites. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Reposted by Wency Leung
A few months ago @thelocal.to got a promising pitch from a writer with bylines in whole bunch of reputable publications—The Cut, The Guardian, Dwell, Architectural Digest, etc. Then I started investigating. Here's a story about fabulists in journalism's AI slop era. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 19, 2025 at 2:10 PM
A few months ago @thelocal.to got a promising pitch from a writer with bylines in whole bunch of reputable publications—The Cut, The Guardian, Dwell, Architectural Digest, etc. Then I started investigating. Here's a story about fabulists in journalism's AI slop era. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Reposted by Wency Leung
Attention Black and/or Indigenous early-career journalists! The Local is partnering with The Philanthropist for a $10,000 fellowship. The fellow will write about issues that matter to their community and civil society, and will be offered mentorship and industry guidance. thelocal.to/early-career...
Early-Career Journalism Fellowship
The fellowship provides one Black and/or Indigenous journalist an opportunity to write about issues that matter to their community and civil society.
thelocal.to
November 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Attention Black and/or Indigenous early-career journalists! The Local is partnering with The Philanthropist for a $10,000 fellowship. The fellow will write about issues that matter to their community and civil society, and will be offered mentorship and industry guidance. thelocal.to/early-career...
And at @thelocal.to, here in Toronto, we have one, too! A new, part-time, flexible fellowship for Black and/or Indigenous journalists thelocal.to/early-career...
November 7, 2025 at 4:30 PM
And at @thelocal.to, here in Toronto, we have one, too! A new, part-time, flexible fellowship for Black and/or Indigenous journalists thelocal.to/early-career...
Our friends at @thenarwhal.ca have a fantastic fellowship for Indigenous journalists in B.C.!
Please do! Details about the fellowship and the link to apply can be found here: thenarwhal.ca/2026-indigen...
November 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Our friends at @thenarwhal.ca have a fantastic fellowship for Indigenous journalists in B.C.!
Reposted by Wency Leung
@pressprogress.ca needs your solidarity and support right now more than ever
We’re raising money to pay our legal bills – and to be blunt, we’re going to need a lot of help
If you’re able, please help us out and support our Journalism Defence Fund:
pressprogress.ca/journalism-d...
We’re raising money to pay our legal bills – and to be blunt, we’re going to need a lot of help
If you’re able, please help us out and support our Journalism Defence Fund:
pressprogress.ca/journalism-d...
PressProgress: Defend Canadian Journalism
pressprogress.ca
November 7, 2025 at 2:44 PM
@pressprogress.ca needs your solidarity and support right now more than ever
We’re raising money to pay our legal bills – and to be blunt, we’re going to need a lot of help
If you’re able, please help us out and support our Journalism Defence Fund:
pressprogress.ca/journalism-d...
We’re raising money to pay our legal bills – and to be blunt, we’re going to need a lot of help
If you’re able, please help us out and support our Journalism Defence Fund:
pressprogress.ca/journalism-d...
Reposted by Wency Leung
In our final Higher Education story, Olivia Bowden checks in on campus sexual violence prevention and response services eight years on from the Me Too movement. Survivors and advocates say progress has been hindered by austerity and growing conservatism on campuses: thelocal.to/university-o...
What Happened to the Campus Me Too Movement? | The Local
Eight years after the international movement that created policy changes and a shift in culture around sexual violence, survivors and advocates at Ontario universities say they’re still fighting an up...
thelocal.to
November 7, 2025 at 2:13 PM
In our final Higher Education story, Olivia Bowden checks in on campus sexual violence prevention and response services eight years on from the Me Too movement. Survivors and advocates say progress has been hindered by austerity and growing conservatism on campuses: thelocal.to/university-o...
I'm finding it harder and harder to keep an open mind about AI with stories like this. We're using up vast amounts of our precious fresh water resources for what, exactly?
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
My car asked my kids a shocking and inappropriate question. That’s how I realized there are few safe spaces anymore
AI chatbots are the newest frontier in potentially toxic tech.
www.thestar.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I'm finding it harder and harder to keep an open mind about AI with stories like this. We're using up vast amounts of our precious fresh water resources for what, exactly?
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Grief. Good grief.
While researching my current column, I had trouble finding something PM Carney said in a speech in either Factiva or Google, so I tried asking ChatGPT-5 to search for it. This was its internal response.
It hallucinates in basic searches. It can't write truth. It can't copyedit. What is it good for?
It hallucinates in basic searches. It can't write truth. It can't copyedit. What is it good for?
November 7, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Grief. Good grief.
I'm curious to hear about people's experiences with Health811 (formerly Telehealth Ontario), good or bad. Please DM or email me: wency@thelocal.to
November 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I'm curious to hear about people's experiences with Health811 (formerly Telehealth Ontario), good or bad. Please DM or email me: wency@thelocal.to
Reposted by Wency Leung
Applications for our Early-Career Journalism Fellowship are now open! The fellowship, a joint undertaking with @thephilanthropist.ca, provides one Black and/or Indigenous journalist an opportunity to write about issues that matter to their community and civil society. thelocal.to/early-career...
Early-Career Journalism Fellowship
The fellowship provides one Black and/or Indigenous journalist an opportunity to write about issues that matter to their community and civil society.
thelocal.to
October 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Applications for our Early-Career Journalism Fellowship are now open! The fellowship, a joint undertaking with @thephilanthropist.ca, provides one Black and/or Indigenous journalist an opportunity to write about issues that matter to their community and civil society. thelocal.to/early-career...
Reposted by Wency Leung
This is a story in which the vulnerable hurt the vulnerable. It's about power, attention, and group violence. It's also a story of race, girlhood, substance use, and growing up during COVID. I wrote about the killing of Kenneth Lee by eight teenage girls in downtown Toronto. A thread:
In the early hours of December 18, 2022, eight girls were arrested and charged with the murder of an unhoused man in Toronto. Who were the girls? What exactly had they done? And why? Journalist @royinori.bsky.social unpacks the story behind the shocking headline: thewalrus.ca/why-did-a-group-...
October 20, 2025 at 7:59 PM
This is a story in which the vulnerable hurt the vulnerable. It's about power, attention, and group violence. It's also a story of race, girlhood, substance use, and growing up during COVID. I wrote about the killing of Kenneth Lee by eight teenage girls in downtown Toronto. A thread:
Reposted by Wency Leung
Have you caught up on this week's big stories from The Local? Our higher education issue continues, first with a deep-dive into the deteriorating relationship between York University and its community: thelocal.to/york-univers...
How York University Lost the Trust of Its Community | The Local
After program closures, questionable major capital projects, and increasingly fractious labour relations, what is the future of York University?
thelocal.to
October 19, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Have you caught up on this week's big stories from The Local? Our higher education issue continues, first with a deep-dive into the deteriorating relationship between York University and its community: thelocal.to/york-univers...
Reposted by Wency Leung
In the spring, student journalist Ella MacCormack came to us with an intriguing story: Toronto frats, starved for members, had become de facto landlords, renting rooms in their houses to desperate renters. We teamed her up with The Local's @wencyleung.bsky.social and the result is this wild story.
Without enough brothers to fill their houses, some fraternities have begun renting rooms to non-students desperate for cheap rent. Ella MacCormack and @wencyleung.bsky.social on what happens when your landlord is a frat. thelocal.to/fraternities...
When Your Landlord is a Frat | The Local
Without enough brothers to fill their houses, some fraternities have begun renting rooms to non-students desperate for cheap rent. The results have been messy.
thelocal.to
October 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
In the spring, student journalist Ella MacCormack came to us with an intriguing story: Toronto frats, starved for members, had become de facto landlords, renting rooms in their houses to desperate renters. We teamed her up with The Local's @wencyleung.bsky.social and the result is this wild story.