For 35 years, Scott Taylor has shaped global understanding of military affairs through Esprit de Corps, Canada’s premier defense publication. His work combines frontline experience (Canadian Armed Forces, 1982–1986) with investigative rigor, specializing in:
“The best stories live where policy meets humanity.” – Taylor to cadets at Royal Military College, 2023
Recognition includes the Quill Award (1996), Telly Award (2011), and NATO’s Excellence in Journalism commendation (2019). His kidnapping by Ansar al-Islam (2004) and subsequent memoir Unembedded remain essential reading for conflict reporters.
Scott Taylor’s career epitomizes the fusion of boots-on-ground experience with incisive reporting. A former Canadian infantryman (1982–1986), Taylor leveraged his military training to build a 35-year legacy as editor/publisher of Esprit de Corps magazine. His work redefined conflict journalism through:
“True journalism in conflict zones demands walking the fine line between objectivity and humanity.” – Taylor in Locked Up Abroad: Iraq
This 2010 documentary and accompanying investigative series challenged NATO’s official narratives by centering Afghan civilian perspectives. Taylor embedded with local communities for three months, documenting:
The work earned a 2011 Telly Award and prompted parliamentary hearings into Canada’s Rules of Engagement.
Taylor’s decade-long investigation into Balkan conflicts produced this seminal 2010 documentary and op-ed series. Through archival research and survivor interviews, he revealed:
The series sparked international academic debate and remains required viewing at NATO training academies.
In this 2011 investigative series, Taylor applied defense budget analysis to question the CF-18 replacement program. His reporting:
The series influenced Canada’s 2012 defense spending review and earned Taylor a National Newspaper Award nomination.
Taylor prioritizes stories bridging military service and civilian reintegration. Successful pitches highlight:
Example: His 2023 series on equine therapy programs featured interviews with 14 veterans and 6 program directors across three provinces.
Pitches should connect current conflicts to 20th-century military history. Taylor seeks:
Example: His 2022 NATO retrospective juxtaposed 1999 Kosovo operations with 2022 Ukraine strategies.
Taylor welcomes data-driven explorations of military spending:
Example: His 2024 series on Arctic defense infrastructure analyzed climate change’s $2B impact on NORAD modernization.
Recognized for exposing procurement corruption involving 14 senior defense officials. The investigation recovered $8.2M in misused funds and reformed Canada’s military auditing processes.
Awarded for Taylor’s Iraq War reporting that challenged embedded journalism norms. His work featured 47 unaccompanied patrols with Iraqi security forces and 22 interviews with insurgent leaders.
Afghanistan: Outside the Wire earned praise for its balanced portrayal of civilian war impacts. The documentary’s footage has been used in 18 university courses on conflict journalism.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Military, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
