Maple News reports on an insightful conversation with Nicholas Keung, a veteran immigration reporter for the Toronto Star. With over two decades on Canada’s immigration beat, Keung offers a rare view into how news media have evolved to reflect the lives and challenges of newcomers.
Originally from Hong Kong, Keung immigrated to Canada in the early 1990s, following studies in the United States. Like many new arrivals, he faced early hurdles—working in a food court during a recession before spotting a job posting at a local Chinese-language newspaper. That entry point paved the way for a career in storytelling that now spans nearly 30 years. His three-year stint at Sing Tao Daily introduced him to Toronto’s media network and led him to an opportunity at the Toronto Star, where he has specialized in immigration reporting since 2003.
Keung recalls that early coverage of immigration was largely top-down, driven by governmental priorities and economic policies. Newcomers were often portrayed as outsiders—people who needed help adjusting to Canadian norms. Over time, he says, the lens has shifted. More journalists are now telling stories from the perspective of migrants themselves, highlighting their personal struggles and triumphs within the immigration system.
Technology has been a major catalyst in this transformation. Keung points out that platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter have enabled migrants to self-organize and amplify their voices. Examples include groups advocating for faster processing of family sponsorships, or raising public awareness of exploitative practices in the international student program.
The landscape inside newsrooms has changed too. Canada’s media industry, once predominantly homogeneous, now includes a growing number of second-generation immigrants who bring more diverse perspectives. Keung believes this diversity leads to better, more nuanced reporting on immigration and refugee issues.
Asked how he measures success, Keung says that impact—large or small—is his benchmark. Whether a story helps just one person understand immigration policy better, or leads to a system-wide change years down the line, each piece adds to the collective public awareness. He cites a recent article that helped an Ethiopian refugee secure essential documents within a week, as well as a 2019 investigation into international student challenges that is only now yielding policy response in 2024.
Ultimately, Keung sees journalism as a tool for building empathy across communities. “Media allows people who may never meet to understand one another,” he says. “That’s how we build a nation—by creating human connections.”
According to Maple News, Keung’s work exemplifies how storytelling, when rooted in authenticity and empathy, can shape a more inclusive and informed Canada.