Tony Farina began his journalism career as a writer for the U.S. Navy, where he served for four years. He was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in the television category in 2019 for his award-winning career as an investigative reporter for WGRZ-TV and WKBW-TV. During his tenure at these stations, Farina broke many major stories, including the groundbreaking report that led to the arrest of Joseph Christopher, known as the ".22-Caliber Killer," who was convicted for some of the killings attributed to him during his racially motivated killing spree in late 1980 and early 1981.
Before his career in television, Farina worked at the Lockport Union Sun and Journal, the Tonawanda News, and the former Buffalo Courier-Express, where he served as chief investigative writer/editor. During his final year at the Courier, he wrote 18 copyrighted stories, cementing his reputation as one of the region's premier investigative journalists.
In television, Farina won numerous accolades, including a New York State UPI first-place award for a series on Buffalo’s waterfront, a journalism society award for a series on Surrogate Court, and a prestigious national award from the Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) for a series on unsafe buses.
Farina left television news in 1998 to become the chief speechwriter for then-New York State Attorney General Dennis Vacco. Then as first deputy Buffalo City Comptroller.
He later continued his work as a journalist, becoming editor for the Niagara Falls Reporter.
Farina currently contributes to WBBZ-TV, where he provides commentary and analysis on local and regional issues.
