Telling stories that matter: TMU alumni lead the future of media

From left to right: Sameen Amin, Giovanni Capriotti, Arif Noorani

Sameen Amin

Journalism ’07
Deputy Editor and Executive Producer, Video,
The New York Times

Sameen Amin’s path in journalism began with an internship at CBC during her time at TMU, which led to a part-time role at CBC News Network, and set the foundation for a career shaped by a global perspective and adaptability. After relocating to Washington, D.C. to produce global live news at Al Jazeera and covering major events like the Arab Spring, the Flint water crisis and the protests in Ferguson, Mo., a career setback in 2016 — when the network she was working for shut down — prompted Amin to pivot toward digital video journalism.

That move eventually led her to the New York Times, where Amin now serves as deputy editor and executive producer of video, overseeing teams across New York, London and Seoul. Amin is passionate about digital video’s ability to connect authentically with audiences, especially in a landscape that has shifted toward short-form, mobile-first content. “Audiences want the unvarnished truth,” she said, “and are craving being told that in more informal ways.” 

Her advice to grads: stay open and nimble. In an industry defined by change, flexibility is essential.

Giovanni Capriotti

Documentary Media (MFA) ’22
Award-winning documentary photographer

Giovanni Capriotti’s journey into documentary photography began with a vintage Yashica camera gifted by his grandmother, and evolved through years of travel, education and lived experience. After studying photography in London and completing national service in Italy, he began documenting stories for an airline’s in-flight magazine — a role that sparked his deeper interest in visual storytelling.

Since moving to Canada, Capriotti earned a master’s degree in documentary media from TMU and has focused on long-form projects centred on identity, history and social justice. His work often combines photography, video, audio and personal testimony to uncover stories that challenge dominant narratives. Projects like Boys Will Be Boys and Terra Nullius reflect this commitment. Terra Nullius (external link, opens in new window) , which earned second place in the Sony World Photography Awards’ Perspectives category, examines Canada’s colonial legacy through the experiences of Indigenous communities and the scars left behind by residential schools. “This recognition encourages continued dialogue and reflection on these crucial issues,” he said. 

His advice to young photographers: treat the work as a long-term commitment to understanding the human condition, and approach it with patience, critical observation and respect.

Arif Noorani

Journalism ’93
Director, CBC Podcasts

Arif Noorani’s path to leading CBC Podcasts began with a drive to stay ahead of audience trends and a curiosity about where storytelling was headed. When CBC launched its podcast studio in 2015, the audio renaissance was still in its early days — but Noorani and his team dove in. Early series like Someone Knows Something (external link, opens in new window)  and Love Me (external link, opens in new window)  helped to build momentum, and under his leadership, the studio has produced more than 50 award-winning shows.

With Noorani at the helm of content, CBC Podcasts has remained at the forefront of the medium’s evolution, staying committed to premium, narrative-driven documentaries even as other platforms pivot to lower-cost talk formats. Series like Tested (external link, opens in new window)  and Sea of Lies (external link, opens in new window)  have earned widespread acclaim, while projects such as The Village (external link, opens in new window) , which blends true crime and social history, exemplify storytelling that spans across time and culture. As the podcasting industry continues to evolve, Noorani sees an exciting future for high-quality, long-form content despite the growing popularity of video and chat-based podcasts. 

His advice for those entering the field? “Know what drives you and build the skills to support it — the media profession can be a hard slog, so passion will help you navigate the inevitable bumps in the road.”