David Beatson: A broadcasting legend...

David Beatson was a broadcasting veteran with more than 50 years experience in journalism. Beatson began his television career as a reporter on magazine show Town and Around, before developing a reputation for a no-nonsense interviewing style on shows like Gallery and Eyewitness. Later in his career Beatson became the editor of the Listener, chief press secretary to PM Jim Bolger and chairman of NZ On Air. 

In this ScreenTalk, Beatson talks about:

• Struggling to pass the announcer's test in the early days of broadcasting
• Outdoor adventures and becoming one of the youngest hosts of magazine show Town and Around
• Doing some heavy-duty research when preparing for interview show Compass
• His thoughts on forceful former Prime Minister Robert Muldoon
• The “tomorrow’s headlines tonight” approach to Gallery
• Taking TV footage from Wellington to Auckland in the mid 70s, on a flight he never wants to repeat
• Presenting late night news show Eyewitness live from parliament
• His advice to NZ On Air after becoming chairman
• The rationale for launching his show The Beatson Interview
• What makes a great interviewer
• The future of television, and his last fight

David Beatson passed away on 21 September 2017.

This video was first uploaded on 20 February 2017, and is available under this Creative Commons licence. This licence is limited to use of ScreenTalk interview footage only and does not apply to any video content and photographs from films, television, music videos, web series and commercials used in the interview.

Interview, Camera and Editing – Andrew Whiteside