Brian Thomson (journalist)
Encyclopedia
Brian Thomson is the Senior Correspondent of SBS World News
(World News Australia).
, a comprehensive
state school in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, before studying Politics and History at Newcastle University, where he was Deputy President of the Newcastle University Union Society. He went on to gain a postgraduate diploma in radio and television journalism at the Lancashire Polytechnic (now the University of Central Lancashire
).
in 1989 as a News Reporter and in 1992 moved to Sky News
where he was Scotland Correspondent. From 1994 to 1997 Thomson worked as a freelance journalist for Reuters Television in Bangkok, Thailand and for GMTV
in London, England.
In 1997 Thomson emigrated to Sydney, Australia, where he joined SBS
as Senior Producer. In 2006 Thomson became Senior Correspondent for SBS World News (World News Australia).
), the United States of America (United States Presidential election, 2008
), the United Kingdom (United Kingdom general election 2010), Australia (Australian federal election, 2007) and Zimbabwe (Zimbabwean presidential election, 2008
), on sports in China (2008 Summer Olympics
), Germany (2006 FIFA World Cup
), and South Africa (2010 FIFA World Cup
), and on natural disasters.
for TV News Reporting 2008 (finalist), United Nations Association of Australia
Media Peace Award 2011 (winner).
SBS World News
World News Australia is the news service of the Special Broadcasting Service. Its flagship nightly bulletin is broadcast at on SBS One with additional weeknight 'late' bulletins at on SBS One...
(World News Australia).
Education
Thomson was educated at Kirkcaldy High SchoolKirkcaldy High School
Kirkcaldy High School is a comprehensive state school in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland.Kirkcaldy High school was admitted to the "Schools of Ambition" programme in 2007....
, a comprehensive
Comprehensive
Comprehensive may refer to:*Comprehensive layout, the page layout of a proposed design as initially presented by the designer to a client*Comprehensive school, a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude...
state school in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, before studying Politics and History at Newcastle University, where he was Deputy President of the Newcastle University Union Society. He went on to gain a postgraduate diploma in radio and television journalism at the Lancashire Polytechnic (now the University of Central Lancashire
University of Central Lancashire
The University of Central Lancashire is a university based in Preston, Lancashire, England.The university has its roots in The Institution For The Diffusion Of Useful Knowledge which was founded in 1828. In 1992 it was granted University status by the Privy Council...
).
Life and career
Thomson joined Radio ForthRadio Forth
Radio Forth is a group owning two radio stations based in Edinburgh. The stations broadcast to Edinburgh, The Lothians and Fife.-History:Radio Forth was launched on 22 January 1975 by current chairman Richard Findlay. His opening speech included "This, for the very first time is Radio Forth"...
in 1989 as a News Reporter and in 1992 moved to Sky News
Sky News
Sky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
where he was Scotland Correspondent. From 1994 to 1997 Thomson worked as a freelance journalist for Reuters Television in Bangkok, Thailand and for GMTV
GMTV
GMTV was the national Channel 3 breakfast television contractor, broadcasting in the United Kingdom from 1 January 1993 to 3 September 2010. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITV plc. in November 2009. Shortly after, ITV plc announced the programme would end...
in London, England.
In 1997 Thomson emigrated to Sydney, Australia, where he joined SBS
Special Broadcasting Service
The Special Broadcasting Service is a hybrid-funded Australian public broadcasting radio and television network. The stated purpose of SBS is "to provide multilingual and multicultural radio and television services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians and, in doing so, reflect...
as Senior Producer. In 2006 Thomson became Senior Correspondent for SBS World News (World News Australia).
Reporting
Thomson started his international career reporting on the First Gulf War, travelling between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. He has since reported on conflicts in East Timor (the 2006 East Timorese crisis), Indonesia, Thailand, Fiji (2006 Fijian coup d’état), Papua New Guinea, and Egypt (2011 Egyptian protests), elections in Nepal (Nepalese Constituent Assembly election, 2008Nepalese Constituent Assembly election, 2008
A general election for the Constituent Assembly was held in Nepal on 10 April 2008 after having been postponed from earlier dates of 7 June 2007 and 22 November 2007. The Nepalese Constituent Assembly will draft a new constitution; it will therefore decide, amongst other things, on the issue of...
), the United States of America (United States Presidential election, 2008
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
), the United Kingdom (United Kingdom general election 2010), Australia (Australian federal election, 2007) and Zimbabwe (Zimbabwean presidential election, 2008
Zimbabwean presidential election, 2008
The Republic of Zimbabwe held a presidential election along with a parliamentary election on 29 March 2008. The three major candidates were incumbent President Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front , Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change , and...
), on sports in China (2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
), Germany (2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
), and South Africa (2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
), and on natural disasters.
Awards
Walkley Award for Sports Reporting 2006 (commended), Walkley Award for Television News 2007 (winner), Logie AwardLogie Award
The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
for TV News Reporting 2008 (finalist), United Nations Association of Australia
United Nations Association of Australia
The United Nations Association of Australia is a non-profit, non-government, membership-based, community organization working to promote the aims and ideals of the United Nations, and seek support for the UN, its programs and agencies. It has divisions within all of the States and Territories of...
Media Peace Award 2011 (winner).