Reflecting on my experiences over the past 10 weeks, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and accomplishment. From the initial nerves to the final farewell, my internship at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (‘CBC’) has been a transformative journey, as it taught me the practical legal landscape of media law, copyright, and business law. The internship also has provided me with invaluable insights into the journalism and broadcasting sectors.
Starting my internship
The first business law group, copyright group, and media law group meetings were a pivotal moment that introduced me to the network of lawyers at CBC, instilling a sense of camaraderie and underscoring the collaborative essence of this in-house practice at a broadcasting giant.
The onboarding activities emphasized the significance of ethics and compliance, particularly by noting the internal journalistic practices and standards at CBC. Vetting content was by far the most captivating experience, providing a dive into the legal aspects of content creation and practical insights into fair dealing and licensing. I was surprised to learn that the licensing process isn’t entirely handled by lawyers, but rather the business & rights department. This allowed me to understand the division of responsibilities between legal and business departments at large corporations.
Mentorship Matters
Working in an in-house environment surrounded by many female lawyers has been an enriching and rewarding experience. Not only did I feel supported, but I also felt inspired by the intelligent and client-focused diverse lawyers at CBC. I had the unique opportunity to be a mentee for a different lawyer each week, which gave me the most valuable insight I gained from my internship – the realization that there is no singular “right” path to your goals. Each of my mentors had a unique journey that led them to their current position, and this realization was particularly significant for me considering the competitive and traditional nature of law school. It was a reminder that success and a meaningful contribution using my legal education is not a linear trajectory, which has brought a sense of liberation and flexibility to my mindset.
The weekly rotations provided a distinctive experience that I haven’t had before in my summer student roles. The mentor-mentee relationship often extended beyond initial assignments as I got to understand their approaches to routine matters coming to their desk, litigation, handling disputes, and understanding public interest aspects such as freedom of the press and the open court principle.
The rotations allowed me to see how each lawyer adapted to the matters they encounter. Moreover, these rotations served as an exceptional networking opportunity, allowing me to establish connections with the professionals in the industry I aspire to join.
Beyond the Desk
Dynamic experiences unfolded as I attended the "opening of the courts" ceremony, a Generative AI seminar, and observed submissions at the Ontario Court of Appeal. A "field trip" to an in-person screening of a documentary needing to be vetted highlighted the crucial role lawyers play in preventing claims of copyright infringement, defamation, and privacy that can arise against journalists.
Research Adventures
The week I worked extensively on Generative AI-related research showcased the evolving landscape of copyright issues in the digital age; and informed my research paper topic. From fair dealing and defamation to copyright issues related to AI, each research assignment presented an opportunity to sharpen my legal skills. Creating a practical resource on fair dealing and fair use for non-lawyers, researching the permitted acts exemption in the Copyright Act, and interpreting words in the Canada Free Trade Agreement was particularly stimulating, revealing gaps in the legislation that have practical implications.
Culmination
The last week was both emotional and rewarding. Giving presentations to the legal team showcased the supportive environment that fostered my confidence to present in front of a room full of experienced lawyers. In conclusion, my internship at CBC has been marked by learning, networking, and personal growth. I would like to openly thank everyone who allowed me to observe them, sit-in on their meetings, and assist them with research. I hope I made a positive lasting impression at CBC. I leave not only with practical legal skills, but also a great appreciation for the role of lawyers in bringing meaningful journalism and other pieces to the public.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Professors D’Agostino and Vaver, and Joseph Turcotte for putting together an incredible intensive program – this one is special at Osgoode. Thank you to all the guest speakers at the IP Intensive Seminars, you have been vital to the broadening lens of IP students. Special thank you to Dan Ciraco, Kat Germani, Dustin Milligan, Sean Moreman, Jennifer Chow, Nico Elliott, Eve St-Laurent, Laurence Chartier-Lefrancois, Danielle Stone, Marie-Pierre Duguay Gosselin, Caroline St-Pierre, Jordan Belanger, Andrea Chamoun, Roxana Necsulescu, Marie-Claude Ferland, and Celena Choumkhammany for volunteering your time and extending kindness to me (and being icons).
