Bob McKeown
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bob" McKeown is an investigative reporter with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
. He has also worked with NBC
and CBS
. McKeown returned to the CBC in November 2002 to host its investigative programme, the fifth estate
, a show which he had hosted from 1981 to 1990. Prior to his current position, McKeown spent eight years working for Dateline NBC
as a correspondent and five years with CBS News
. He is a graduate of Yale University
and had a six year professional football
career before dedicating himself to journalism.
McKeown's work with Dateline includes coverage of the World Trade Center Attacks and the Oklahoma City bombing
and investigations into hurricanes, tornado
s, great white shark
s and pastor Benny Hinn
(on whom he also did a fifth estate report).
A five year stint with CBS News
is highlighted by his award-winning coverage of the Persian Gulf War
. McKeown was the first reporter to broadcast from the front lines during Operation Desert Storm and reached Kuwait City
as Iraq
i troops were fleeing, almost a day before allied forces arrived. People Magazine wrote: "McKeown and his crew survived artillery, minefields and Iraqi snipers to get the best story of the Gulf War."
While at CBS, he was also a Correspondent for two prime-time newsmagazines, Street Stories and America Tonight, and contributed to 48 Hours and The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather
.
In addition to hosting the fifth estate
in the 1980s, McKeown produced, wrote and directed several critically acclaimed documentaries. These include The Boys on the Bus, an intimate portrait of the Edmonton Oilers
as they won the 1987 Stanley Cup
, Les Canadiens, a history of the Montreal Canadiens
, and Strangers in a Strange Land, which depicted the trials and tribulations of a Canadian
movie crew in China
as it shot a feature film about the legendary doctor, Norman Bethune
.
In January 2005, during an interview on CBC's the fifth estate, McKeown challenged a statement made by American conservative polemicist Ann Coulter
. During the interview Coulter asserted that Canada's non-participation in the 2003 invasion of Iraq demonstrated that Canada's "loyal friendship" with the United States was weaker than in the past. As part of her broader attempt to compare the Canadian response to the Iraq war with that of Vietnam, Coulter erroneously asserted that "Canada sent troops to Vietnam." McKeown corrected her, "No, actually, Canada didn't send troops to Vietnam." Although no uniformed Canadian troops were involved in war, Canadians did participate through counterinsurgency efforts in South Vietnam and reconnaissance
for US bombing runs in North Vietnam. Later on C-Span Coulter stated that McKeown did not mention that 10,000 Canadian troops ran across the border to enlist in the United States army. She also went on to call McKeown a bubble-head, a Ted Baxter
. She had said she would get back to CBC, but she still hasn't.
He has also taken on other conservative pundits, such as Bill O'Reilly, whom he accused of lying and distorting facts, while trying to convey the news to the American people. McKeown used O'Reilly's reference to what he called the Paris Business Review and the billions of dollars France had lost due to the boycott that he had initialized following Frances decision not to participate in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. McKeown pointed out that trade between France and the United States actually went up since O'Reilly initialized the boycott and that the Paris Business Review does not even exist.
In all, Bob McKeown has reported from more than 60 countries and has been recognized with dozens of major journalistic prizes, including two Emmys
- for the Gulf War and Dateline
-- two Geminis
, two Edward R. Murrow
awards, two Gracies, two National Headliner awards and a National Press Club award.
McKeown also has the dubious honour of being the only reporter ever punched by Marlin Perkins
, host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom
. He had asked Perkins, then in his 70s, if he had deliberately injured or killed animals while making wildlife films.
's Ottawa Rough Riders
. He won the Grey Cup
in 1973 and was an all-star in 1974 at the position of centre.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
. He has also worked with NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
and CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. McKeown returned to the CBC in November 2002 to host its investigative programme, the fifth estate
The fifth estate
the fifth estate is a Canadian television newsmagazine, which airs on the English language CBC Television network. The name is a play on the fact that the media are sometimes referred to as the Fourth Estate, and was chosen to highlight the program's determination to go beyond everyday news into...
, a show which he had hosted from 1981 to 1990. Prior to his current position, McKeown spent eight years working for Dateline NBC
Dateline NBC
Dateline NBC, or Dateline, is a U.S. weekly television newsmagazine broadcast by NBC. It previously was NBC's flagship news magazine, but now focuses on true crime stories. It airs Friday at 9 p.m. EST and after football season on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST.-History:Dateline is historically notable for...
as a correspondent and five years with 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...
. He is a graduate of Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
and had a six year professional football
Gridiron football
Gridiron football , sometimes known as North American football, is an umbrella term for related codes of football primarily played in the United States and Canada. The predominant forms of gridiron football are American football and Canadian football...
career before dedicating himself to journalism.
McKeown's work with Dateline includes coverage of the World Trade Center Attacks and the Oklahoma City bombing
Oklahoma City bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. It was the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives, including 19...
and investigations into hurricanes, tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
s, great white shark
Great white shark
The great white shark, scientific name Carcharodon carcharias, also known as the great white, white pointer, white shark, or white death, is a large lamniform shark found in coastal surface waters in all major oceans. It is known for its size, with the largest individuals known to have approached...
s and pastor Benny Hinn
Benny Hinn
Toufik Benedictus "Benny" Hinn הין; born December 3, 1952) is a televangelist, best known for his regular "Miracle Crusades" – revival meeting/faith healing summits that are usually held in large stadiums in major cities, which are later broadcast worldwide on his television program, This Is Your...
(on whom he also did a fifth estate report).
A five year stint with 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...
is highlighted by his award-winning coverage of the Persian Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. McKeown was the first reporter to broadcast from the front lines during Operation Desert Storm and reached Kuwait City
Kuwait City
-Suburbs:Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:Al-Salam ""السلام"" -Economy:...
as Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
i troops were fleeing, almost a day before allied forces arrived. People Magazine wrote: "McKeown and his crew survived artillery, minefields and Iraqi snipers to get the best story of the Gulf War."
While at CBS, he was also a Correspondent for two prime-time newsmagazines, Street Stories and America Tonight, and contributed to 48 Hours and The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather
CBS Evening News
CBS Evening News is the flagship nightly television news program of the American television network CBS. The network has broadcast this program since 1948, and has used the CBS Evening News title since 1963....
.
In addition to hosting the fifth estate
The fifth estate
the fifth estate is a Canadian television newsmagazine, which airs on the English language CBC Television network. The name is a play on the fact that the media are sometimes referred to as the Fourth Estate, and was chosen to highlight the program's determination to go beyond everyday news into...
in the 1980s, McKeown produced, wrote and directed several critically acclaimed documentaries. These include The Boys on the Bus, an intimate portrait of the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
as they won the 1987 Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
, Les Canadiens, a history of the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
, and Strangers in a Strange Land, which depicted the trials and tribulations of a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
movie crew in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
as it shot a feature film about the legendary doctor, Norman Bethune
Norman Bethune
Henry Norman Bethune was a Canadian physician and medical innovator. Bethune is best known for his service in war time medical units during the Spanish Civil War and with the Communist Eighth Route Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War...
.
In January 2005, during an interview on CBC's the fifth estate, McKeown challenged a statement made by American conservative polemicist Ann Coulter
Ann Coulter
Ann Hart Coulter is an American lawyer, conservative social and political commentator, author, and syndicated columnist. She frequently appears on television, radio, and as a speaker at public events and private events...
. During the interview Coulter asserted that Canada's non-participation in the 2003 invasion of Iraq demonstrated that Canada's "loyal friendship" with the United States was weaker than in the past. As part of her broader attempt to compare the Canadian response to the Iraq war with that of Vietnam, Coulter erroneously asserted that "Canada sent troops to Vietnam." McKeown corrected her, "No, actually, Canada didn't send troops to Vietnam." Although no uniformed Canadian troops were involved in war, Canadians did participate through counterinsurgency efforts in South Vietnam and reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
for US bombing runs in North Vietnam. Later on C-Span Coulter stated that McKeown did not mention that 10,000 Canadian troops ran across the border to enlist in the United States army. She also went on to call McKeown a bubble-head, a Ted Baxter
Ted Baxter
Ted Baxter is a fictional character on the sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show . Portrayed by Ted Knight, the Baxter character is a broad parody of a vain, shallow, buffoonish TV newsman. Knight's comedic model was William Powell, and he also drew on various Los Angeles newscasters, including George...
. She had said she would get back to CBC, but she still hasn't.
He has also taken on other conservative pundits, such as Bill O'Reilly, whom he accused of lying and distorting facts, while trying to convey the news to the American people. McKeown used O'Reilly's reference to what he called the Paris Business Review and the billions of dollars France had lost due to the boycott that he had initialized following Frances decision not to participate in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. McKeown pointed out that trade between France and the United States actually went up since O'Reilly initialized the boycott and that the Paris Business Review does not even exist.
In all, Bob McKeown has reported from more than 60 countries and has been recognized with dozens of major journalistic prizes, including two Emmys
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
- for the Gulf War and Dateline
Dateline NBC
Dateline NBC, or Dateline, is a U.S. weekly television newsmagazine broadcast by NBC. It previously was NBC's flagship news magazine, but now focuses on true crime stories. It airs Friday at 9 p.m. EST and after football season on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST.-History:Dateline is historically notable for...
-- two Geminis
Gemini Award
The Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are...
, two Edward R. Murrow
Edward R. Murrow
Edward Roscoe Murrow, KBE was an American broadcast journalist. He first came to prominence with a series of radio news broadcasts during World War II, which were followed by millions of listeners in the United States and Canada.Fellow journalists Eric Sevareid, Ed Bliss, and Alexander Kendrick...
awards, two Gracies, two National Headliner awards and a National Press Club award.
McKeown also has the dubious honour of being the only reporter ever punched by Marlin Perkins
Marlin Perkins
Richard Marlin Perkins was a zoologist best known as a host of the television program Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom from 1963 to 1985.-Biography:...
, host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom
Wild Kingdom
Wild Kingdom, sometimes known as Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, is an American television show that features wildlife and nature. It was originally produced from 1963 until 1988, and was revived in 2002...
. He had asked Perkins, then in his 70s, if he had deliberately injured or killed animals while making wildlife films.
Football career
Before beginning his broadcasting career, McKeown played professional football for five seasons with the CFLCanadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
's Ottawa Rough Riders
Ottawa Rough Riders
The Ottawa Rough Riders were a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario, founded in 1876. One of the oldest and longest lived professional sports teams in North America, the Rough Riders won the Grey Cup championship nine times. Their most dominant era was the 1960s and 1970s, a...
. He won the Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
in 1973 and was an all-star in 1974 at the position of centre.
External links
- the fifth estate
- Bob's bio on the fifth estate's website
- An outsider's perspective on the divide between liberal and conservative news media in America, focusing specifically on Bill O'ReillyBill O'Reilly (commentator)William James "Bill" O'Reilly, Jr. is an American television host, author, syndicated columnist and political commentator. He is the host of the political commentary program The O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel, which is the most watched cable news television program on American television...
, Ann CoulterAnn CoulterAnn Hart Coulter is an American lawyer, conservative social and political commentator, author, and syndicated columnist. She frequently appears on television, radio, and as a speaker at public events and private events...
, and CNN's CrossfireCrossfire (TV series)Crossfire was a current events debate television program that aired from 1982 to 2005 on CNN. Its format was designed to present and challenge the opinions of a politically liberal pundit and a conservative pundit.-Format:...
: a full-length documentary by the fifth estate.