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BERNARD KALB, journalist, author and co-host of the weekly CNN
program "Reliable Sources," which turns a critical lens
on the media. (Saturday 6:30 p.m. EST; Sunday 11:30 a.m.; now in
seventh year, only such weekly program on TV.) He also serves as
the media consultant on the Anti-Incitement Committee established
by the US-sponsored 1998 Wye River Agreement to help promote peace
between Israelis and Palestinians.
From Moscow to Peking, from Antarctica to Saigon, from one Mid-East
country to another-Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria -
on the "diplomatic shuttle," Kalb has traveled the globe
for more than three decades as a correspondent covering world affairs
for CBS News, NBC New and The New York Times. Beyond experience
in both print and television journalism, has had the unique advantage
of seeing the world from "the other side of the podium,"
having served as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
and as State Department spokesman for two years, until his resignation
October 1986 to protest a "disinformation program" by
the Reagan Administration, as reported by the Washington Post. "In
his final official act," William Safire wrote in the Times,
"Bernard Kalb rose above 'State Department Spokesman' to become
the spokesman for all Americans who respect and demand the truth."
Travels widely as lecturer and moderator-at home and abroad-on
subjects ranging from the media to US foreign policy. Overseas,
to moderate Freedom Forum panels focussing on the media under siege:
1999 to date includes India, Senegal, Mali, Panama, Berlin; 1998
Israel, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Russia, Finland, Argentina, Chile;
1997 Viet Nam, Southeast Asia, Australia, London; 1996 Hong Kong,
Israel, Latin America, South Africa. In '95: Saigon, for review
of media-military relations 20 years after end of Viet Nam war;
Venice, for conference sponsored by Elie Wiesel on resolving global
conflicts. Plus, among other assignments: Rio for TV documentary
on Earth Summit; Moscow (Dec. '91) for conference on "Anatomy
of Hatred" including meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev just before
his resignation; New Delhi for TV documentary on India (PBS, 1991).
Juror for several years on DuPont-Columbia awards committee to choose
bet TV and radio reports of the year. Keynote speaker, Columbia
School of Journalism annual conference on state of the media (Jan.
'95). Oh yes - a film career of thirty seconds playing himself in
1993 movie "DAVE."
Over the years, he has eye-witnessed prime-time history. As State
Department spokesman, accompanied US delegation when President Reagan
held first summit with Mikhail Gorbachev in Geneva, November 1985.
As television correspondent, covered President Nixon on opening
trip to China in 1972; reported on Presidents and Secretaries of
State dating back to Nixon and Kissinger on global diplomatic journey.
Spent decade and a half as foreign correspondent based in Indonesia,
Hong Kong, Paris and Saigon.
Fellowship at Freedom Forum Media Studies Center, Columbia University;
fellowship at Council on Foreign Relations, NY; Overseas Press Club
Award for CBS documentary, "Viet Cong," based on years
of reporting on the war in Viet Nam. Co-author, with brother Marvin
Kalb, of Kissinger, a full selection of Book of the Month
Club, and The Last Ambassador, a novel about collapse of
Saigon in 1975. Articles in various publications including New York
Times Magazine, Esquire, Smithsonian, and Newsweek on subjects ranging
from foreign affairs to collecting of Chinese porcelain.
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