Kerry O'Brien (journalist)
Encyclopedia
Kerry O'Brien is an Australian journalist based in Sydney
. He is the former editor and host of The 7.30 Report
on the ABC
and the present host of the current affairs show Four Corners. O'Brien is one of Australia's most respected journalists, having been awarded six Walkley Awards
during his career.
, O'Brien started as a news cadet in 1966. He has worked in newspapers, wire service and television news and current affairs, as a general reporter, feature writer, political and foreign correspondent, interviewer and compere, and also served as press secretary to then Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam
.
's Lateline
program, O'Brien moved in 1995 to The 7.30 Report
, of which he was editor and compère. He also anchors and moderates the ABC's election telecasts. O'Brien has won many awards, including the top award in Australian journalism, the Gold Walkley
in 2000. He has also made several appearances on The Chaser's War on Everything
.
Asked about the hardest interview he has ever had to do, O'Brien said: "The interview I did with Jonathan Shier
when he was my managing director at the ABC, and whom history now makes abundantly clear, made a complete hash of the job. It was about two-thirds of the way through his tenure that I persuaded him to come on for an interview. I suppose my opening question to him was a provocative question. I was staring into the eyes of my own boss. At the same time, the audience had to see that although I was asking tough and provocative questions, that I wasn’t pursuing an agenda. My opening question invited him to give us evidence he wasn’t a failure. Those weren’t the precise words that I used, but it was a tough question. I knew that it wouldn’t endear me to him. But I don’t remember feeling any qualm about it. He subsequently revealed, which I didn’t know at the time, that he had been seeking to have me removed from the program."
O'Brien announced in September 2010 that he would be resigning as the editor and presenter of The 7.30 Report
at the end of the year, and would move on to new roles within ABC in 2011. He concluded his time at The 7.30 Report on 9 December.
for his journalistic work. His first two awards came in 1982, when he won the award for the best television current affairs report and the ceremony's top prize, the Gold Walkley
. He again received prizes in 1991 and 2000. In 2010 - his final year on The 7.30 Report - he received two awards: one for broadcast interviewing, and the other for journalism leadership.
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. He is the former editor and host of The 7.30 Report
The 7.30 Report
The 7.30 Report is an Australian nightly television current affairs program, that was shown on ABC1 and ABC News 24 at , Mondays–Thursdays...
on the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
and the present host of the current affairs show Four Corners. O'Brien is one of Australia's most respected journalists, having been awarded six Walkley Awards
Walkley Awards
The annual Walkley Awards, under the administration of the Walkley Foundation for Journalism, are presented in Australia to recognise and reward excellence in journalism. Finalists are chosen by an independent board of eminent journalists and photographers. The awards cover all media including...
during his career.
Biography
Born in Warwick, QueenslandWarwick, Queensland
Warwick is a town in Queensland, Australia, lying south-west of Brisbane. It is the administrative centre of the Southern Downs Local Government Area. In 2006 the town of Warwick had a population of 12,562....
, O'Brien started as a news cadet in 1966. He has worked in newspapers, wire service and television news and current affairs, as a general reporter, feature writer, political and foreign correspondent, interviewer and compere, and also served as press secretary to then Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
.
The 7.30 Report
After six years as compere and interviewer of the Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
's Lateline
Lateline
Lateline is an Australian television news and current affairs program produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, airing weeknights at on ABC1. The program has developed a reputation for head-to-head debates on current issues and political interviews. Lateline is followed by its sister...
program, O'Brien moved in 1995 to The 7.30 Report
The 7.30 Report
The 7.30 Report is an Australian nightly television current affairs program, that was shown on ABC1 and ABC News 24 at , Mondays–Thursdays...
, of which he was editor and compère. He also anchors and moderates the ABC's election telecasts. O'Brien has won many awards, including the top award in Australian journalism, the Gold Walkley
Walkley Awards
The annual Walkley Awards, under the administration of the Walkley Foundation for Journalism, are presented in Australia to recognise and reward excellence in journalism. Finalists are chosen by an independent board of eminent journalists and photographers. The awards cover all media including...
in 2000. He has also made several appearances on The Chaser's War on Everything
The Chaser's War on Everything
The Chaser's War on Everything is an Australian television satirical comedy series broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation television station ABC1. It has won an AFI Award. The cast perform sketches mocking social and political issues, and often feature comedic publicity stunts...
.
Asked about the hardest interview he has ever had to do, O'Brien said: "The interview I did with Jonathan Shier
Jonathan Shier
Jonathan Shier is an Australian-born media executive who lived in the United Kingdom from 1976 until 1999, who is best known for his controversial tenure as managing director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation from 1999-2002.- References :...
when he was my managing director at the ABC, and whom history now makes abundantly clear, made a complete hash of the job. It was about two-thirds of the way through his tenure that I persuaded him to come on for an interview. I suppose my opening question to him was a provocative question. I was staring into the eyes of my own boss. At the same time, the audience had to see that although I was asking tough and provocative questions, that I wasn’t pursuing an agenda. My opening question invited him to give us evidence he wasn’t a failure. Those weren’t the precise words that I used, but it was a tough question. I knew that it wouldn’t endear me to him. But I don’t remember feeling any qualm about it. He subsequently revealed, which I didn’t know at the time, that he had been seeking to have me removed from the program."
O'Brien announced in September 2010 that he would be resigning as the editor and presenter of The 7.30 Report
The 7.30 Report
The 7.30 Report is an Australian nightly television current affairs program, that was shown on ABC1 and ABC News 24 at , Mondays–Thursdays...
at the end of the year, and would move on to new roles within ABC in 2011. He concluded his time at The 7.30 Report on 9 December.
Four Corners
On 14 October 2010, the ABC announced that O'Brien would host Four Corners, beginning in 2011.Awards
During his career as a journalist, O'Brien has won six Walkley AwardsWalkley Awards
The annual Walkley Awards, under the administration of the Walkley Foundation for Journalism, are presented in Australia to recognise and reward excellence in journalism. Finalists are chosen by an independent board of eminent journalists and photographers. The awards cover all media including...
for his journalistic work. His first two awards came in 1982, when he won the award for the best television current affairs report and the ceremony's top prize, the Gold Walkley
Gold Walkley
The Gold Walkley is the most prestigious of the Walkley Awards for Australian journalism. It is chosen by the Walkley Advisory Board from the winners of all the other categories...
. He again received prizes in 1991 and 2000. In 2010 - his final year on The 7.30 Report - he received two awards: one for broadcast interviewing, and the other for journalism leadership.