Martin Bashir is Keynote Speaker at Gala Banquet

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Martin Bashir bio (64k PDF)

April 16, 2008

Martin Bashir, co-anchor of ABC’s “Nightline” and correspondent on “20/20” will be the keynote speaker during AAJA’s Annual Gala Scholarship and Awards Banquet to be held 7 p.m. Friday, July 25, 2008 at the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Chicago.  The event is being held in conjunction with the UNITY: Journalists of Color Convention, July 23-27, 2008.

The award-winning journalist is best known for conducting a series of exclusive interviews and making ground-breaking documentaries which have been broadcast world-wide.  His now historic conversation with the late Princess Diana remains the only interview ever conducted with her.

In 2003, his documentary “Living with Michael Jackson” featured exclusive and extraordinary access to one of the biggest stars of the modern musical world and was broadcast in over 60 international territories.  The film was nominated for a BAFTA award (the UK equivalent of an Oscar).

In announcing Bashir’s selection, AAJA Executive Director Rene Astudillo said that “in the past, AAJA has had the honor and pleasure of having network news anchors as speakers, including the late Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather. We’re excited to have Martin this year who is -- so to speak --one of our own.”

AAJA’s gala banquet honors the year’s scholarship, internship and fellowship winners as well as recipients of the organization’s national journalism awards. AAJA’s top honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, will also be announced at the gala, along with other achievement and recognition awards. 

For more details about the UNITY Convention & AAJA Events, including registration information, visit the UNITY Convention page.

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