Frank Kearns
Encyclopedia
Frank Kearns was an American broadcast journalist for CBS News
from 1957 until 1971, although he first began with CBS in 1953 as a freelance correspondent, or “stringer”, stationed in Cairo, Egypt.
Kearns covered several Middle East conflicts including Egypts’ Suez Crisis
, the Algerian War of Independence
and the Arab-Israeli Six-Day War
.
As a network foreign correspondent with CBS, he reported from news bureaus in London, Paris, Moscow and Rome. Later, as CBS News’ Chief Correspondent for Africa, he reported on numerous wars and disputes in Africa including Rhodesia
’s bid for independence, the civil war in Biafra
and the bloody conflicts in the Congo Crisis
.
In 1971 Kearns left CBS News
to accept a teaching position at his Alma Mater West Virginia University
, where he served as their Benedum Professor of Journalism.
In 1976 it was reported that during his early years as a “stringer” in Egypt, Kearns had also doubled as a contract spy for the Central Intelligence Agency. In addition, the press alleged that the CIA employment had been approved by senior CBS management.
In 1983 Kearns retired and settled in Sardinia, Italy, where he spent the last three years of his life. Frank Kearns died of cancer in 1986 at age 69 in New York City.
CBS News
CBS News is the news division of American television and radio network CBS. The current chairman is Jeff Fager who is also the executive producer of 60 Minutes, while the current president of CBS News is David Rhodes. CBS News' flagship program is the CBS Evening News, hosted by the network's main...
from 1957 until 1971, although he first began with CBS in 1953 as a freelance correspondent, or “stringer”, stationed in Cairo, Egypt.
Kearns covered several Middle East conflicts including Egypts’ Suez Crisis
Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, Suez War was an offensive war fought by France, the United Kingdom, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956. Less than a day after Israel invaded Egypt, Britain and France issued a joint ultimatum to Egypt and Israel,...
, the Algerian War of Independence
Algerian War of Independence
The Algerian War was a conflict between France and Algerian independence movements from 1954 to 1962, which led to Algeria's gaining its independence from France...
and the Arab-Israeli Six-Day War
Six-Day War
The Six-Day War , also known as the June War, 1967 Arab-Israeli War, or Third Arab-Israeli War, was fought between June 5 and 10, 1967, by Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt , Jordan, and Syria...
.
As a network foreign correspondent with CBS, he reported from news bureaus in London, Paris, Moscow and Rome. Later, as CBS News’ Chief Correspondent for Africa, he reported on numerous wars and disputes in Africa including Rhodesia
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
’s bid for independence, the civil war in Biafra
Biafra
Biafra, officially the Republic of Biafra, was a secessionist state in south-eastern Nigeria that existed from 30 May 1967 to 15 January 1970, taking its name from the Bight of Biafra . The inhabitants were mostly the Igbo people who led the secession due to economic, ethnic, cultural and religious...
and the bloody conflicts in the Congo Crisis
Congo Crisis
The Congo Crisis was a period of turmoil in the First Republic of the Congo that began with national independence from Belgium and ended with the seizing of power by Joseph Mobutu...
.
In 1971 Kearns left CBS News
CBS News
CBS News is the news division of American television and radio network CBS. The current chairman is Jeff Fager who is also the executive producer of 60 Minutes, while the current president of CBS News is David Rhodes. CBS News' flagship program is the CBS Evening News, hosted by the network's main...
to accept a teaching position at his Alma Mater West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
, where he served as their Benedum Professor of Journalism.
In 1976 it was reported that during his early years as a “stringer” in Egypt, Kearns had also doubled as a contract spy for the Central Intelligence Agency. In addition, the press alleged that the CIA employment had been approved by senior CBS management.
In 1983 Kearns retired and settled in Sardinia, Italy, where he spent the last three years of his life. Frank Kearns died of cancer in 1986 at age 69 in New York City.