Robin Lustig

Robin is one of the most respected journalists of today’s broadcast media – demonstrating his gentle but formidable skill in the late evening oasis that is BBC Radio 4’s The World Tonight. Robin is well known for his humorous current affairs based talks, he explores the news stories of the day with witty observations and anecdotes drawn from his huge experience of interviewing and reporting.

His career began with Reuters in 1970 as Correspondent in Madrid, Paris and Rome, and he moved on to the Observer in 1977 where he held a number of posts, including News Editor, Home Affairs Editor, Middle East Correspondent and Assistant Editor.

Becoming a freelance broadcaster in 1989, Robin took over the presenters seat at The World Tonight – a programme which complements its more gladiatorial stable mates (The World At One, PM and Today) with a reflective and less gladiatorial style – but a no less forceful one when prising answers from the great and even the good. Robin also presents BBC World Service’s Newshour and the award-winning internet-linked global phone-in Talking Point.
Since joining the BBC, he has covered many major events all over the world, and presented live from Abuja, Amman, Berlin, Harare, Hong Kong, Islamabad, Johannesburg, Jerusalem, Kabul, Kosovo, Moscow, New York, Paris, Rome, Sarajevo, Tehran, Tokyo and Washington.

Awards include a British Press Award commendation for his work in India following the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984, a New York Radio Festival Gold Medal for his live coverage from Moscow on the last day of the Soviet Union in 1991, and a Sony Silver Award as Talk/News Broadcaster of the Year 1998.

Robin is also on the editorial board of the prestigious British Journalism Review, which he chaired for 10 years, 1992-2002.