By Harvey Oberfeld
Keeping It Real…
September 18th, 2014
Senior reporter Jas Johal gave Global TV notice Thursday he’s leaving in two weeks.
And he’s NOT going to another TV station either: apparently although only 44, he’s had enough of the business …at least for now.
Johal is a past winner of two Webster Awards and a Radio, Television, News Directors’ Award, Can-Pro and Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Award.
He been at Global BC and Global National for about 20 years in all.
What many do not know is that I was the one … after hearing some of his terrific work while he was working for CKNW … phoned him and told him BCTV had an opening and suggested he apply. We talked about the transition required to move from another medium (in my case newspapers) and I said I felt he could do it quite well. He applied … and was hired.
Good move … for Jas …and BCTV!
But he’s now leaving the news business to join an international company that’s involved in business dealings between Asia and Canada.
No doubt a good fit for that firm, with Johal having headed Global’s Asia bureau, based in Beijing and also working and reporting in India, Pakistan, South Korea and the Middle East. Lots of knowledge …and contacts!
But it’s a loss of another senior reporter on BC’s media scene.
And of course, I can’t help buy wonder how much the current state of local television news affected his decision to move on?
Wish him well. He deserves it.
It was a matter of time before a reporter of Jas Johal’s pedigree quit that gong show of a station. Best of luck to him in his new endeavour.
At least Global saves money by hiring another green reporter fresh out of BCIT.
Sorry to see Jas leave the business, even temporarily. He was very good at his job. In-depth reporting hopefully, will not suffer in his absence.
Sad to hear about Jas Johal leaving — had the opportunity to chat with him, early in my career, and I always knew he was a classy guy. Surprised he stayed as long as he did, but all the best to him in his new job..
Not to be disrespectful but I always found Jas pushing the bounds of credibility. He tried hard to create scandal even when none existed. It seemed to me like it was always more about him than the story itself. Will be interesting to see how he transitions from the limelight to the less visible role as LNG industry astroturfer.