Before the Camera: A Memoir

Richard Wilbur is the author of The Rise of French New Brunswick and
H.H. Stevens, 1878–1973 and co-author of Silver Harvest. His latest
book is Horse-Drawn Carriages and Sleighs: Elegant Vehicles from New
England and New Brunswick.

Steve Murphy writes the same way he delivers the evening news on the
ATC/CTV network out of Halifax: clearly and succinctly. His Maritime
television viewers will appreciate his recollections of some of the
major news events that he and his camera crew have covered. These events
include the death and funeral of Princess Diana, the Westray coal mine
disaster that took 26 lives, and the crash of Swiss Air flight 111 off
Peggy’s Cove that killed all 229 passengers and crew. One of the
highlights of this short autobiography is Murphy’s vivid and detailed
description of the devastation Hurricane Juan caused as it bore down on
Halifax in late September 2003.

The author also describes his years growing up in Saint John, and his
experiences learning the ropes and bonding with his older newsroom and
technical associates. After nearly 30 years of holding increasingly
challenging roles at CTV, Murphy has become an important Halifax public
figure, known for his straightforward news delivery and for his annual
chairing of fundraising ventures like the Christmas Daddies and the
United Way. He continues to display his skills as an unflappable and
discerning interviewer, especially when facing prominent politicians
like Paul Martin and Steven Harper.

Before the Camera is an engaging behind-the-scenes account of someone
who has not only endured but flourished in a notoriously demanding
medium.