Karen Middleton (journalist)
Karen Middleton is a political journalist in the Canberra Press Gallery covering the Parliament of Australia in Canberra, the national capital of Australia.
Work
Middleton was Chief Political Correspondent and Canberra Bureau Chief for SBS Television.
She was a seasoned radio and TV commentator, had a weekly radio spot on James O'Loghlin's Evening Show on ABC Radio across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, and on Perth radio 6PR, Sydney radio 2GB and ABC Radio National, and TV appearances on Sunrise on the Seven Network, Meet the Press on the Ten Network, and ABC TV's Insiders. She is a fortnightly commentator on Radio New Zealand and has done commentary and analysis for CNBC and al Jazeera.
She has been political correspondent for several newspapers, most recently The West Australian, but also the Melbourne Age and Herald Sun, and as a weekend columnist for the Canberra Times, and is an occasional contributor to the New York Times. On December 18, 2015 it was announced that she would be joining The Saturday Paper in 2016 as Chief Political Correspondent.[1]
Professional associations
- President, 2005–2008, Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery
- Board Member, 2005–2008
Notable professional achievements
2011 Middleton reported for SBS from Afghanistan in August and published a book through Melbourne University Press on Australia's involvement in the War in Afghanistan, titled 'An Unwinnable War' in September.
2008 Middleton was awarded a Churchill Fellowship.
Afghanistan, March 2007
While on assignment in Afghanistan in March 2007, Middleton and other Australian journalists were travelling in an Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter that was fired on with at least one rocket propelled grenade. Middleton's SBS colleague, cameraman Jamie Kidston, was at the rear ramp of the helicopter and filmed the RPG pass the back of the Chinook. He only saw the missile pass when reviewing and editing the tape. The story made national news on several TV and radio networks, and in newspapers.[2]
This visit was neatly timed to coincide with an un-announced visit by Prime Minister John Howard and Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, to meet Australian troops. Howard also met the President, Hamid Karzai.[3]
Copenhagen, 2009
Middleton reported and blogged for SBS on the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, notably reporting from a "press room" in a shipping container in a snowy car park.[4]
Personal life
Born in Ottawa, Canada to Australian parents, Middleton grew up in Canberra.
She has been a regular volunteer of her time and talent to assist refugee families relocate to Australia.[5]
Middleton's grandfather was Sir Crawford Nalder, who served as deputy premier of Western Australia from 1962 to 1971.[6]
Publications
- An Unwinnable War: Australia in Afghanistan, 2011 (Note: The original title was The... and there are numerous references to "The Unwinnable War".)[7][8]
References
- ↑ "Erik Jensen on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
- ↑ Close call for Aussie journos, SBS news, 14 March 2007, accessed 15 March 2007
- ↑ Howard pays Afghanistan surprise visit, Australian Broadcasting Corporation news, 15 March 2007, accessed 16 March 2007
- ↑ Copenhagen Critical: SBS Chief Political Correspondent Karen Middleton reports on the Copenhagen climate summit., Karen Middleton, SBS, December 2009, accessed 9 February 2010
- ↑ "'Karen Middleton, Chief Political Correspondent SBS: AMSA 2013 Journalism Excellence Award'". Migration Council Australia. 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
- ↑ MacDonald, Janine (1997). New Bureau Chief – The West Australian. Published 27 September 1997. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ↑ Karen Middleton - An Unwinnable War, Virginia Jones (with Alex Sloan), Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 5 September 2011, accessed 8 October 2011
- ↑ The Unwinnable War: Australia In Afghanistan, advertisement with "The..." but showing correct cover with "An...", Borders.com.au, accessed 8 October 2011