David Webster | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1931-01-11)11 January 1931 |
| Died | 6 August 2003(2003-08-06) (aged 72) |
| Occupations | Television producer and executive |
| Employer | BBC |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Drew |
| Children | 2 |
David Webster (11 January 1931 – 6 August 2003) was a British television producer and senior executive at theBBC.[1][2][3][4]
Webster was born inTaunton, England, into a Quaker family noted for offering refuge to Nazi-era migrants.[1] He attended Taunton School and, as a conscientious objector, completed national service at a hospital. He later studied politics atRuskin College,Oxford. He joined theBBC in 1953 as a subeditor in the external services news department.[1][2]
Webster became a producer oncurrent affairs TV programmePanorama in 1959, working with prominent broadcasters likePaul Fox andRichard Dimbleby. In the following five years he proved to be an excellent visual storyteller and worked with journalist of name such asRobin Day,Robert Kee,Ludovic Kennedy,John Morgan,Michael Charlton,Michael Barratt,Richard Kershaw andRobert MacNeil. WithPanorama Webster covered major events, including U.S. political conventions and an interview with PresidentJohn F. Kennedy.[1] He edited the programme from 1967 to 1969.[2][3]
Webster later served as the BBC’s representative in theUnited States (1971–1976), controller of information services, and director of public affairs, holding a seat on the board of management for eight years.[1][2] From 1981 to 1985 he was director, USA, based inNew York.[1]
In 1988, Webster founded the Trans-Atlantic Dialogue on Broadcasting and the Information Society, which focussed on international cooperation on broadcasting policy. After the end of theCold War, the organization helped develop independent broadcasting services and regulations in countries likeCzech Republic,Poland,Romania,Hungary andMacedonia.[2][3] He lived inWashington, D.C., where his home became a forum for political and media discussion.[1] Webster died of heart failure on 6 August 2003 at his home in Washington, aged 72.[2][3][4] He was survived by his wife, and two sons from his first marriage.[1]