NCJ Number
75702
Date Published
1979
Length
243 pages
Annotation
Activities involved in the production of a televised investigative report on organized crime in Canada are reported.
Abstract
The program resulting from this investigation -- called Connections -- was a two-part television documentary which identified organized crime leaders in Canada and detailed the activities of these organizations. The authors used advanced technology equipment in recording interviews and creating films of their investigation, including concealable recorders and extremely fast, highly sensitive film. The programs created an international sensation and received wide media news coverage. The second show in the series was viewed by an estimated 1.7 to 1.8 million Canadians, considerably above criteria which had been established for successful shows of its type. The program produced a strong negative reaction among Canadians of Italian ancestry, and resulted in votes of censure by several legislative bodies. Reactions were more positive in the United States, where the program is credited with instituting a State investigation of organized crime. Photographs are included. An interview with a mafia soldier and synopses of the program content are included in appendixes.