John Simpson 60 years of outstanding journalism
Summary
John Simpson, the BBC’s World Affairs editor, joins Newstalk Breakfast to discuss his upcoming 60-year career retrospective. He reflects on the physical and emotional toll of his reporting, including being tortured in Lebanon and digging through victims of friendly fire in Iraq. Simpson shares his pride in covering Nelson Mandela’s release and Ayatollah Khomeini’s return to Iran, as well as his complex relationship with Saddam Hussein during his trial.
Topics discussed
Introduction to John Simpson's 60-year BBC milestone
Reflections on career hardships and physical toll
Feeling pushed out of the job and BBC finances
Coping with trauma and shame from 1982 kidnapping
Pride in covering Nelson Mandela's release and election
Defying orders to board Khomeini's flight in 1979
Relationship with Saddam Hussein and his trial
Closing remarks and programme promotion
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