By: Media and Communication Studies student Aidan Corbett
Crime journalism never really interested me. I assumed it was just reading police reports, talking to officers, and basic writing; I didn’t realize how much more there was to crime reporting beyond a basic media and communications perspective.
That changed when retired crime reporter Cal Millar visited my News Writing and Editing class in February. His insights completely changed my view of crime reporting.
As soon as he began to tell stories from his career, my eyes were opened as to just how immersive being a crime reporter can be – from attending crime scenes to playing roles in active investigations.
For example, Cal told us about the time he found himself right in the thick of the 1993 shooting of Russian intelligence officer Dmitri Yakubovsky in Toronto’s Bridle Path area. Using his talent and position as a reporter and photographer, Cal was able to gather vital information as a part of the investigation. The story showed me just how immersed a reporter can get in the kind of events you might only see on TV or in the movies. No matter the beat you desire to work in, that level of involvement was fascinating to learn more about.
Cal is a Hamilton, Ont., native, as am I, so I found myself resonating with the places he would casually name or reminisce about. Discovering that he spearheaded the first Crime Stoppers program in Toronto is an excellent example of how reporters and the media can really change dynamics within the country.
When it came time to ask questions, I wanted to take away advice that I could use myself as an aspiring multimedia journalist. In a beat like crime, where things can happen quickly, I was curious to know what was more important when it came to reporting: the deadline or the details. My interest came from my own uncertainty – I wasn’t sure if it was worth submitting an article with missing information or if that kind of issue would pertain to anyone in any beat.
Cal told me that the most important thing was (and is) meeting deadlines. People are always going to look for a story once something has happened, so it’s important to make a story using the information that you are given. I think that is something that will stay with me for the entirety of my journalism journey.
Cal also expressed how vital it is to do something you love for a living, since a large chunk of your life is work. He said to the class, “I’ve never worked a day in my life” – Cal had enjoyed what he did so much that he never felt like he was working. These are words I would like to live by as I graduate and head into the work force.
I’d like to express my gratitude to Cal for taking the time to speak to my class; he provided advice that really changed my perspective on the world of journalism and crime reporting, wisdom I will be sure to integrate into my life and work.
Written by: Media and Communication Studies student Aidan Corbett