Media Release - Backgrounder
CITATION:
Don Newman, OC
Don Newman, OC is an award-winning broadcaster, one of Canada's foremost political reporters and a respected expert on Canadian and foreign politics. Newman - a University of Winnipeg Collegiate graduate ('59) and a United College Associate Alumnus - is a shining example of responsible journalism and a role model for integrity in reporting.
Newman is Senior Parliamentary Editor for CBC National Television News and the host of CBC Newsworld's daily program Politics, an intelligent analysis of major political news stories and newsmakers in Ottawa and around the country. Newman is also the chief political and special events broadcaster for CBC Newsworld, providing live coverage of Canadian political conventions, hearings, news conferences, first ministers' meetings, provincial and federal elections and referenda.
"The years Don spent at United College provided him with the intellectual and moral foundation he needed to embark on his celebrated career," said University of Winnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor Lloyd Axworthy. "For years, Don has provided thoughtful and thorough commentary on Canadian and foreign politics. We are proud to have Don Newman among our ranks of alumni. He is a mentor to new journalists and embodies the ethical principles that journalists everywhere should aspire to."
In 1989, Newman helped launch CBC Newsworld with live daily broadcasts from Ottawa. At the same time, he hosted and produced a nightly program, Capital Report. As well, Newman continued his work on This Week in Parliament, a half-hour weekly program on CBC, which he hosted from 1981 to 1993.
Newman came to work for CBC's Parliamentary bureau in 1981, following a two-year stint as CBC News: The National's senior western correspondent based in Edmonton. Before joining CBC in 1976 as its Washington correspondent, Newman worked for CTV. He opened its Washington bureau in 1972, where he covered Watergate. Since moving to the Parliamentary Bureau in 1981, Newman has covered such major national political stories as the Canada-US free trade agreement, the GST, the failed Meech and Charlottetown accords, budget releases, political scandals and resignations, crucial debates over major public policies, legislation in the House and Senate, and major decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Newman was named to the Order of Canada in 1999 for providing Canadians with his unique blend of insightful analysis and compelling commentary. He was also awarded the first Charles Lynch Award for outstanding coverage of national affairs by the National Press Club in 1997 and received the 2005 Hyman Solomon award for Public Policy Journalism.
Newman has served as president of the National Press Gallery and president and treasurer of the National Press Club. He was instrumental in negotiations to bring Canadians live television from the Supreme Court and in expanding coverage from the House of Commons. His contribution to CBC Television coverage of the Meech Lake negotiations led to its Parliamentary Bureau winning a Gemini Award in 1990.
Newman was born in Winnipeg and educated at The University of Winnipeg Collegiate, United College and in England and Montreal.