James Goldston#Awards
{{short description|British-American journalist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox person
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| name = James Goldston
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1968|6|19|df=y}}{{Cite web|title=ABC News Chief on Trump Drama, Megyn's NBC Start and Broadcast News in the Smartphone Era|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/abc-news-chief-trump-drama-megyns-nbc-start-broadcast-news-smartphone-era-1053165|access-date=13 June 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=2 November 2017|language=en}}
| birth_place = Heston, London, England
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| nationality = British
| citizenship = British
American
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| alma_mater = Cardiff School of Journalism (PgDip 1991){{Cite web|last=Amor|first=Leigh|date=31 March 2016|title=Examined Life: James Goldston (PgDip 1991)|url=https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/alumni/2016/03/31/examined-life-james-goldston-pgdip-1991/|access-date=13 June 2020|website=Cardiff University|language=en-US}}
Jesus College, Oxford
| occupation = Journalist; media executive; producer
| years_active = 1991–present
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| organization = Candle Media
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| known_for = President of ABC News
Television news production
Journalism
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| television = Tonight with Trevor McDonald
Living With Michael Jackson
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Major Fraud
20/20
Nightline
Good Morning America
| title = President, Candle True Stories{{Cite web|title=Candle Media Hires Ex-ABC News Chief James Goldston to Lead Nonfiction Studio|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/candle-media-james-goldston-abc-news-nonfiction-studio-1235530203/|work=variety|date=February 21, 2023|access-date=November 21, 2023}}
Former president, ABC News
| predecessor = Ben Sherwood
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| spouse = {{marriage|Laura Trevelyan|1998}}
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| awards = See full list
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| website = {{url|https://candlemedia.com/candle-true-stories/}}
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James Goldston (born 19 June 1968) is a British-American journalist, media executive, and former president of ABC News. In 2023, he joined Candle Media as head of its new nonfiction and documentary projects production studio.{{cite web|title=Exclusive: Candle taps James Goldston for new nonfiction studio|url=https://www.axios.com/2023/02/21/candle-james-goldston-nonfiction-studio |website=axios.com|date=February 21, 2023|access-date=November 21, 2023}}
Early life
Goldston grew up in Heston, a suburb of Hounslow, West London. His mother Jill Goldston was a professional movie and TV extra (a 2022 documentary short about her film career by Anthony Ing titled Jill, Uncredited was constructed from excerpted clips ranging from The Elephant Man to Mr. Bean).[https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/dec/01/jill-uncredited-worlds-most-prolific-extra 'I was told not to make eye contact with Tom Cruise': Meet the world's most prolific movie extra|Movies|The Guardian] He recalls as a child being taken to a shooting for a James Bond film, in which he made an appearance.
Early career
Goldston was the first in his family to go to university, where he studied philosophy, politics and economics at Jesus College, Oxford.
He then attended the Cardiff School of Journalism where he was trained by academics including British newspaper editor Sir David English, graduating in 1991 with a PgDip Journalism qualification.
He began his career during work experience at the Richmond and Twickenham Times, followed by roles at The Surrey Herald and Legal Business.
Broadcast journalism
His first job in broadcast journalism was at the BBC where he began on programmes including The Money Programme, Newsnight and Panorama. Goldston worked as an international correspondent for the BBC, and was responsible for reporting at the time of the end of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, during the start of the war in Kosovo, and on the Clinton Impeachment.
Television production
In 1999 he moved to commercial broadcaster ITV and helped launch the flagship current affairs programme Tonight with Trevor McDonald. He became the programme's executive producer in 2002 and remained there until 2004. The show became "Britain’s most watched current affairs program."{{Cite web|last=Dana|first=Rebecca|date=2 July 2005|title=Nightline Finds Neverland|url=https://observer.com/2005/07/nightline-finds-neverland/|access-date=13 June 2020|website=Observer|language=en-US}}
Goldston secured significant interviews while at Tonight, including:
- Living With Michael Jackson in which the singer talked about sharing his bed with children. The report was picked up by ABC News in the United States and reached 27 million viewers. Host Martin Bashir went on to testify in Jackson's trial for alleged child molestation.
- Shock and Awe, live coverage anchored from Kuwait and Baghdad of the Iraq War.
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Major Fraud, an investigation into Charles Ingram who in 2004 was convicted for cheating the popular UK game show. The Millionaire scandal was in 2020 picked up by ITV to become a major drama serial entitled Quiz.
Tonight received three Royal Television Society awards in five years during Goldston's tenure.
ABC News career
= ''20/20'' (2004–2005) =
Goldston departed ITV and moved to the US in 2004 to become a Senior Producer at ABC News in New York, at the time accompanied by his friend and fellow contributor at ITV Bashir, with whom he worked on 20/20. In November 2005 the duo broadcast a report into the BALCO scandal, obtaining a rare interview with the company's founder Victor Conte who had been indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2004. Conte was charged with supplying drugs to 27 high-profile athletes including Barry Bonds and Marion Jones.{{Cite web|date=1 November 2007|title=Bonds steroids timeline|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/mlb/news/story?id=3113127|access-date=13 June 2020|website=ESPN.com|language=en}} The investigation led to the charging of Dwain Chambers, Tim Montgomery, and a number of other high-profile American Olympians.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=30 November 2004|title=BALCO founder tells his story to ABC: report|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/balco-founder-tells-his-story-to-abc-report-1.480223|access-date=13 June 2020|website=CBC Sports}}{{Cite news|last=Conlan|first=Tara|date=2 July 2005|title=Bashir collaborator to edit Nightline|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/jul/29/broadcasting1|access-date=13 June 2020|issn=0261-3077}}
= ''Nightline'' (2005–2011) =
In 2005, Goldston became the first British executive producer of prime time broadcast Nightline under its then host Ted Koppel. The broadcast was "on the verge of cancellation" and courting David Letterman as a potential new host when Goldston took over. He reformed the programme by removing the "single-anchor, single-topic format" and brought in a three-person team of Bashir, Cynthia McFadden, and Terry Moran.{{Cite news|last=Deans|first=Jason|date=2 September 2005|title=Bashir tipped to take reins on ABC's Nightline|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/sep/22/broadcasting|access-date=13 June 2020|issn=0261-3077}}
He reportedly faced initial criticism from supporters of Koppel within ABC who felt in replacing previous producer Tom Bettag, Goldston was dismantling the long running format of the programme, however the audience quickly gained traction, moving up 14% among 25- to 54-year-olds in the "demo", while competitor programmes like the Tonight Show With Jay Leno and the Late Show With David Letterman took a hit in the ratings.
= ''Good Morning America'' (2011–2014) and SVP =
In 2011, he took over Good Morning America, which at the time had spent years behind its arch rival Today. Within a year in the role, the broadcast overtook the NBC production to claim top spot among audiences.{{Cite news|last=de Moraes|first=Lisa|date=16 April 2012|title='GMA' ends 'Today's' 16-year run as weekly morning infotainment show ratings leader|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/gma-ends-todays-16-year-run-as-weekly-morning-infotainment-show-ratings-leader/2012/04/16/gIQAeQbmLT_blog.html|access-date=13 June 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post}} He became senior vice president (SVP) for content and development at ABC News in 2012.{{Cite web|last=Amato|first=Jennifer|date=1 March 2012|title=ABC News President Ben Sherwood Announces New Roles for Goldston and Cibrowski|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/abc-news-president-ben-sherwood-announces-new-roles-for-goldston-and-cibrowski|access-date=13 June 2020|website=ABC News|language=en}}
= President of ABC News (2014–2021) =
In April 2014, Goldston became the President of ABC News, reaching the role after just ten years at the network.{{Cite news|last=McCarthy|first=Tom|date=1 April 2014|title=ABC News taps James Goldston to be new president|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/apr/10/abc-news-disney-james-goldston-new-president|access-date=13 June 2020|issn=0261-3077}} He replaced Ben Sherwood, who was promoted to a senior role within Disney. He was at that point one of two Britons in charge of the Big Three television networks in the US, alongside Deborah Turness who was until 2017 the President of NBC News. At the time he also formed a British executive duo at ABC, alongside ABC Entertainment president (and BBC alum) Paul Lee.{{Cite web|title=James Goldston Named President of ABC News|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/james-goldston-named-president-abc-695030|access-date=13 June 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=10 April 2014|language=en}}
At the time of his appointment, Goldston was labelled as having "something of a Midas touch" in the press after taking each broadcast he led (Nightline, GMA, and This Week) to the top spot for viewership, and with GMA enjoying "its best performance in 20 years."{{Cite news|last= |first= |date=1 April 2014|title=ABC names James Goldston president of ABC News|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-xpm-2014-apr-10-la-et-ct-james-goldston-president-abc-news-20140410-story.html|access-date=13 June 2020|work=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}
In 2015, he travelled to the Vatican to lead on the network's interview with Pope Francis, which was anchored by David Muir.
In 2016, a letter was written to Goldston by journalists who were requesting reforms to improve the treatment of black candidates in hiring decisions. HuffPost sources described that Senior Vice President for Talent and Business at ABC Barbara Fedida intervened to join a meeting on the topic, a meeting which the group went on to describe as "tense". Mara Schiavocampo later accused Fedida of "racial discrimination", but later agreed a financial settlement including "a nondisclosure and nondisparagement agreement."{{Cite news|last=Ali|first=Yashar|date=1 June 2020|title='To Say That She's An Abusive Figure Is An Understatement': At ABC News, Toxicity Thrives|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/abc-news-toxicity-thrives_n_5ee3db80c5b684a0c4f2e297|access-date=13 June 2020|work=HuffPost|language=en}} In June 2020 Goldston placed Fedida, who first joined the company in 1989, on "administrative leave" after a HuffPost report which alleged an "extensive history" of "insensitive and racist remarks."{{Cite web|last=Hernbroth|first=Megan|title=ABC News executive in charge of hiring and diversity programs put on administrative leave while the network investigates claims of insensitive and racist remarks|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/abc-news-barbara-fedida-on-leave-conduct-investigation-huffington-post-2020-6|access-date=13 June 2020|website=Business Insider}} In response to her suspension Fedida released a statement through her attorney describing the accusations as "heartbreaking and incredibly misleading."{{Cite web|title=ABC News Executive Barbara Fedida Put on Leave Following Accusations of Insensitive and Racist Comments|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/abc-news-executive-barbara-fedida-200209486.html|access-date=13 June 2020|website=www.yahoo.com|date=13 June 2020 |language=en-US}} She was fired on 21 July 2020.{{Cite news|date=2020-07-21|title=Disney's ABC News says senior executive leaving after alleged racist comments|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-global-race-walt-disney-media-idUKKCN24M01Z|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722030114/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-global-race-walt-disney-media-idUKKCN24M01Z|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 July 2020|access-date=2020-09-07}}
On January 28, 2021, Goldston in an internal memo, announced{{cite news |last=Battaglio|first=Stephen|date=January 28, 2021|title=James Goldston is out as president of ABC News|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-01-28/james-goldston-out-president-abc-news-fedida|work=Los Angeles Times|location= |access-date=}} that he was stepping down from his post at ABC News at the end of March.{{Cite web|author=Brian Stelter|title=ABC News president James Goldston is stepping down|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/28/media/james-goldston-abc-news-steps-down/index.html|access-date=2021-01-29|website=CNN|date=28 January 2021 }} The Los Angeles Times{{'}} Stephan Battaglio reported that the announcement of Goldston's exit came six months after the ouster of Barbara Fedida. Goldston himself had been rumored to have been on his way out since Fedida officially parted ways with ABC in July 2020.
Adviser to Jan. 6 Committee
In 2022, Goldston worked with the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack as an "unannounced adviser",{{cite news |last=Allen|first=Mike|date=June 6, 2022|title=Scoop: Jan. 6 committee's secret adviser |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/06/06/jan-6-committee-adviser-james-goldston}} assisting with their televised public hearings. Goldston assisted the Committee in crafting their public hearings so as to appeal to Americans who were not necessarily following the details of the probe into the January 6 attack.{{cite news |last=Allen|first=Mike|date=June 29, 2022|title=Jan. 6 hearings deliver new template for digital-era dramatics |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/06/29/jan-6-committee-hearings-digital-era}}
Awards
= Personal =
- Radio Television Digital News Association (2019) First Amendment Service Award{{Cite web|title=First Amendment Service Award 2019 – RTDNF First Amendment Awards|url=https://www.firstamendmentawards.org/first-amendment-service-award-2019/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130135545/https://www.firstamendmentawards.org/first-amendment-service-award-2019/|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 November 2020|access-date=13 June 2020|website=www.firstamendmentawards.org}}
= Network =
- Edward R. Murrow Award (2016) for Overall Excellence in Television, and Series – TV (for Nightline).{{Cite web|date=21 June 2016|title=ABC News Recognized with Murrow Awards for Overall Excellence in Both Television and Radio|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Press_Release/abc-news-recognized-murrow-awards-excellence-television-radio/story?id=40017831|access-date=13 June 2020|website=ABC News|language=en}}
- Edward R. Murrow Award (2015) for Overall Excellence in Television
- Edward R. Murrow Award (2014) for Overall Excellence in Television
- Emmy Award (2012) for Outstanding Business and Economic Reporting (ABC News/Center for Public Integrity){{Cite web|title=Center, ABC win Emmy Award for Solyndra investigation|url=https://publicintegrity.org/inside-publici/center-abc-win-emmy-award-for-solyndra-investigation/|access-date=13 June 2020|website=Center for Public Integrity|date=2 October 2012|language=en-us}}
- Emmy Award (2009) for Outstanding Investigative Journalism in a News Magazine{{Cite web|last=Schawbel|first=Dan|title=Dan Harris: How Meditation Can Make You Happier And More Successful|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2018/01/02/dan-harris-how-meditation-can-make-you-happier-and-more-successful/|access-date=13 June 2020|website=Forbes|language=en}}
- Emmy Award (2007) for Outstanding Investigative Journalism in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast{{Cite web|title=Washington University in St. Louis Magazine|url=http://magazine-archives.wustl.edu/Summer09/AlumniProfiles.html|access-date=13 June 2020|website=magazine-archives.wustl.edu|archive-date=31 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231025404/http://magazine-archives.wustl.edu/summer09/AlumniProfiles.html|url-status=dead}}
- Peabody Award (2006) for Nightline{{Cite web|date=25 September 2007|title=Brian Ross and the Investigative Team Nab Top Honors|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=3053354&page=1|access-date=13 June 2020|website=ABC News|language=en}}
- Royal Television Society Awards (2004) for Program of the Year (ITV News)
- Royal Television Society Awards (2002) for Program of the Year (ITV News){{Cite web|last=|first=|date=28 February 2003|title=RTS Journalism Award Winners 2001/2002|url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/rts-journalism-award-winners-20012002/|access-date=13 June 2020|website=Press Gazette|language=en-US}}
- Royal Television Society Awards (1993) for Program of the Year (ITV News)
Personal life
Goldston resides in Brooklyn Heights, New York, with his wife Laura and three children. He met his wife, who was the anchor of BBC World News America, while studying journalism at Cardiff.
He is a supporter of Premier League side Chelsea F.C.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://abcnews.go.com/News/james-goldston/story?id=46731298 Official profile at ABC News]
- {{IMDb name|id=1397966|name=James Goldston}}
{{Presidents of ABC News}}
{{Wikidata property |1= Q96270512 }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Goldston, James}}
Category:British television executives
Category:Journalists from London
Category:BBC newsreaders and journalists
Category:Presidents of ABC News
Category:English reporters and correspondents
Category:English male journalists
Category:ITN newsreaders and journalists
Category:Alumni of Jesus College, Oxford