Kate Adie’s career as BBC Chief News Correspondent covered the most important dispatches of the age, including both Gulf Wars and coverage throughout the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland, as well as the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement.
Her most memorable broadcasts include her overseas assignments from the Tiananmen Square protest in Beijing in 1989 and the final NATO intervention in Kosovo in 1999.
She has served as Radio 4’s From Our Own Correspondent for many years, alongside writing several books – one of which documented her life as a female war correspondent.
Receiving a BAFTA Fellowship and CBE last year, Adie’s ground-breaking news reporting has garnered recognition across the world as her contribution to journalism continues to be valued.
It is expected that Adie, who was appointed Chancellor of Bournemouth University in January, will address conference members at the Gala dinner on the evening of November 12 when she will receive her award.
Ian Murray, executive director of the Society of Editors commented: “Kate Adie is one of the most influential journalists of our age. Her record speaks for itself and her dedication to our profession and the high standards the public demands of it is legendary.
“I’m delighted that the Society is able to recognise Kate’s achievements and her on-going commitment to our profession with a Lifetime Achievement Award.”
The Anniversary Conference has already secured a line-up of key industry figures including the UK’s Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham and national newspaper editors James Harding (Tortoise), Ted Verity (The Mail on Sunday), Alison Phillips (Daily Mirror) and Chris Evans (The Telegraph).
A panel scrutinising the survival of investigative journalism has also been announced with Claire Newell (Daily Telegraph), Paul Henderson (Daily Mirror), Jane Bradley (BuzzFeed) and Tom Bristow (Archant Investigations Unit).
