The Howard Theatre
The Richmond Lecture with Orla Guerin, the BBC’s Senior International Correspondent, in conversation with Simon Wilson
‘Frontlines and Faultlines – a Reporting Life’
Thursday 29 February 2024, 6pm
Dublin-born journalist Orla Guerin is the BBC’s Senior International Correspondent, based in Istanbul. She is a multi-award-winning veteran foreign correspondent with BBC News, who has held a succession of high-profile postings. In recent times Orla has played a prominent role in the BBC’s coverage of the war in Ukraine.
Since taking up the International Correspondent role in 2019 she has reported from across the Middle East, South America, South Asia, and the Caucasus. She has reported from frontlines, and conducted high profile interviews with international leaders including President Nicholas Maduro of Venezuela, and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.
During her first posting in the Middle East (2000–2005) she reported on the second Palestinian Intifada, the death of Yasser Arafat, and the Israeli pull-out from the Gaza settlements.
While working as Africa Correspondent (2006-2008) Orla reported from conflict zones including Darfur, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zimbabwe - which she entered undercover.
During her time in Pakistan she reported from around the country stories including the devastating nationwide floods of 2010, the first democratic transition of power in May 2013, suicide bombings, sectarian violence, the Taliban shooting of Malala Yousufzai, and the battle for education for girls.
Orla is an Honorary Professor of International Journalism at the National University of Ireland in Galway and has received numerous awards for her contribution to international journalism.
Simon Wilson read MML at Downing College and worked for BBC News for more than thirty years, holding several senior editorial posts around the world, including as Bureau Chief in Washington, Jerusalem and Brussels.
His most recent BBC management role was as Head of Journalism for the Europe & Americas Region of the World Service, leading more than 300 language service journalists including teams in both Ukraine and Russia during the current conflict.
Simon was appointed as a 2008 Nieman Journalism Fellow at Harvard University and he and his teams have won a number of prestigious awards, including an International Emmy for news coverage during his time in the Middle East.
To book your place at this event, please email Masters-PA@dow.cam.ac.uk and state the number of places you wish to book.