- Michael Nicholson
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Michael Nicholson 
Born 9 January 1937
Romford, Essex, EnglandOccupation Journalist Michael Nicholson OBE (born 9 January 1937) is an English journalist and former ITN Senior Foreign Correspondent.
Contents
Biography
Journalistic career
Born in Romford, Essex, Nicholson attended the University of Leicester. Nicholson was a war reporter for ITN, who reported from wars in Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Vietnam, Cambodia, Jordan, India and Pakistan, Rhodesia, Beirut and Angola. During a twenty-five-year career, Nicholson reported on fifteen separate conflicts.[1]
While awaiting the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Nicholson's car broke down at six o'clock in the morning. Left abandoned by his rivals from the BBC, a friendly local assisted him just as the Turkish paratroopers were starting to enter the island over his head. Nicholson walked up to the paratroopers and greeted them in the field, and as a result of the hospitality shown by the ITN news team, the paratroopers allowed Nicholson to film the landing sequence. His film was flown back to London on an RAF plane, to make the Six O'clock News that same evening.[2]
Nicholson was ITN’s first bureau chief in South Africa, based in Johannesburg from 1976 to 1981. During this time Nicholson reported from the Soweto riots to the birth of Zimbabwe. In 1981 he returned to England, motoring overland through Africa and Europe with his wife and two small sons, a journey of six months and fourteen thousand miles.[3]
Nicholson was on holiday in the Lake District when a message got through to him about the Falklands War. Flown by a chartered aircraft to Southampton to join the convoy, at 45 Nicholson was more experienced than most of his journalistic colleagues: "But this was the first war, other than Northern Ireland, where I was among my own people." Nicholson and senior BBC journalist Brian Hanrahan were regularly flown over to the merchant ships to broadcast their "phono" packages, as no broadcasting of images from the islands themselves or live broadcasts were allowed. After the conflict, Nicholson was awarded the South Atlantic Medal.[4] Nicholson and former co-ITN newscaster Leonard Parkin also provided a controversial report of the sinking of the ARA General Belgrano in 1982.
Career as newsreader (1976-1986)
Between its introduction in 1976 and 1986, Nicholson also became well known as a television presenter when he became a regular host of ITN's popular News at 5:45 bulletins. Nicholson's friendly face, pleasant smile, and light, cheerful presentation style earned him a reputation as one of the leading figures of British journalistic television at a time when the BBC's news presenters were often accused of being aloof and characterless—despite his reputation as a very serious and gritty news gatherer and as an interviewer who could be sharp with his views, particularly towards politicians and leading figures in the news. However, Nicholson's newsreading career came to an end when, in March 1986, he announced The Prince Andrew's engagement to Sarah Ferguson on the News at 5:45, and during his live interview with the couple he inadvertently called the Prince a "yucky", instead of "lucky", young man.[5] Nicholson later apologised to the couple for this slip, but opted to resign from the News at 5:45 in September 1986 amidst a number of complaints from viewers.
Following his resignation from the News at 5:45, Nicholson was replaced by Alastair Stewart, and returned to war reporting
Return to news reporting (1987-present)
On resuming his career as a war reporter, Nicholson soon became involved in reporting on the first Gulf War, named Journalist of the Year in 1991. He then reported from Bosnia and Croatia, where in 1992 he was also named as the Royal Television Society's Journalist of the Year, for his report.
Nicholson joined Trevor McDonald's new investigative program, Tonight with Trevor McDonald in 1999.[6]
Natasha
While stationed outside Sarajevo in the path of the approaching Serb forces, Nicholson found 200 orphans living in a mortared and shelled building - four had already been killed. Nicholson pleaded with the authorities to evacuate the children, which they did on buses. All that is except one - Natasha, a nine year old who had been abandoned by her mother. As her name had been omitted from the list of evacuees, Nicholson placed her under his name and claimed her as his daughter. He then evacuated from the country with the child, handing himself in, to the immigration authorities at Heathrow. Despite protests from the Bosnian authorities and journalistic critics, Nicholson succeeded in adopting the child.[7] Nicholson's experiences formed the basis of the film Welcome to Sarajevo.
In 1993 Nicholson had his book Natasha's Story published. It tells the story of the nine-year Serbian girl, born Jelena Natasha Mihalijcic in Novi Grad, Sarajevo, on 7 October 1982. Born out of wedlock, she was abandoned by her mother at nine months old. The book tells how she was resettled in Britain at his family home in Grayswood, Haslemere, Surrey. Natasha eventually attended local state primary and secondary schools near her home, and has since gained an HND in sports science from the University of Bath.[8] She hopes to train as a tennis coach and is keen to work with children in sport.[7]
Personal life
Now 74 years of age, Nicholson lives with his wife, two sons and adopted daughter Natasha in Grayswood, Haslemere, Surrey. He also has a daughter called Ana, whom he adopted from Brazil. Ana now has a son called Maxi.
References
- ^ How the Falklands war was covered by the UK media | The Falklands | Guardian Unlimited
- ^ http://www.westminsterjournalism.co.uk/Broadcast06/ITN/Triumphs.html
- ^ Spirit of Adventure | Voyage around the Cape | Guest speakers
- ^ Inside Story: What covering the Falklands meant for leading veterans of the media corps - Media, News - Independent.co.uk
- ^ Nicholson attacks ITN for showbiz approach | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com
- ^ BBC News | Entertainment | ITV reveals flagship news team
- ^ a b News - Telegraph
- ^ UNIVERSITY UPDATE : 16 JANUARY 2004
External links
Categories:- 1937 births
- Living people
- Alumni of the University of Leicester
- ITN newsreaders and journalists
- British people of the Falklands War
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
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