Martin Bashir

Early life

Bashir was born and raised in Wandsworth, London, to parents of Pakistani Christian origin. He was educated at the state comprehensive Wandsworth School for Boys and King Alfred's College of Higher Education, Winchester, studying English and History from 1982–1985, and at King's College London.

Career

He started work as a journalist in 1986. He worked for the BBC until 1999 on programmes including Songs of Praise, Public Eye and Panorama and then he joined ITV, working on special documentary programmes and features for Tonight with Trevor McDonald.

Bashir came to wide prominence in 1995 when he interviewed (for the BBC's Panorama programme) Diana, Princess of Wales about her failed marriage to the Prince of Wales. Since then he has conducted interviews with, among others, Louise Woodward, the five suspects in the Stephen Lawrence case, Michael Barrymore, Jeffrey Archer, Major Charles Ingram, and Joanne Lees.

Bashir was employed by ABC and co-anchored their current affairs show Nightline. Along with Cynthia McFadden and Terry Moran, he took over Nightline from Ted Koppel in 2005.

In August 2010 Bashir left ABC for MSNBC where he served as a political commentator until 4 December 2013, as well as an occasional substitute host for Lawrence O'Donnell.

It was announced in September 2016 that Bashir was returning to the BBC as religious affairs correspondent.

Bashir had a role as himself in the satirical comedy film Mike Bassett: England Manager.

In 2003, Bashir presented a documentary titled "Major Fraud" detailing the story of British Army Major Charles Ingram who cheated his way to the prize money in a 2001 episode of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.

Michael Jackson interviews

In 2003, Bashir conducted a series of interviews with pop singer Michael Jackson, as part of an ITV documentary Living with Michael Jackson, which Uri Geller, a friend of Jackson's, had arranged. Following the broadcast, which was viewed by 14 million in the UK and 38 million in the US, Jackson complained to the Independent Television Commission and the Broadcasting Standards Commission, accusing Bashir of yellow journalism. In response, Jackson and his personal cameraman released a rebuttal interview, which showed Bashir complimenting Jackson for the "spiritual" quality of the Neverland Ranch.

Bashir defended the documentary, stating, "I don't believe that I've betrayed Michael Jackson at all. I agreed that we would make an honest film about his life. The film was fair to his musical achievement and gave him every opportunity to explain himself. I'm not accusing anybody of being a child molester or a paedophile."

Dieter Wiesner, the pop star's manager from 1996 to 2003, said of Bashir's documentary:

Bashir later said during ABC's coverage of Jackson's death:

Juju Chang comments and suspension at ABC News

In 2008, while working as a reporter for Nightline, Bashir was suspended from ABC News after "making comments considered crude and sexist" during a dinner speech at the Asian American Journalists Association convention in Chicago. During the speech, he stated, "I'm happy to be in the midst of so many Asian babes. I'm happy that the podium covers me from the waist down." He continued and said that a speech should be "like a dress on a beautiful woman – long enough to cover the important parts and short enough to keep your interest – like my colleague Juju's," referring to Bashir's ABC News colleague Juju Chang, a reporter for 20/20. ABC News suspended him. He wrote an apology to the journalist association which stated, "Upon reflection, it was a tasteless remark that I now bitterly regret. I … hope that the continuing work of the organization will not be harmed or undermined by my moment of stupidity."

Sarah Palin comments and resignation from MSNBC

On 15 November 2013, Bashir criticized Sarah Palin for comments that she made comparing the Federal debt to slavery. Bashir attempted to counter Palin's comparison by referencing the punishment of slaves described by slave overseer Thomas Thistlewood, specifically a punishment called "Derby's dose" which involved forcing slaves to defecate or urinate into the mouth of another slave as punishment. Bashir then concluded by saying "if anyone truly qualified for a dose of discipline from Thomas Thistlewood, she would be the outstanding candidate."

After many complaints, Bashir apologized on 18 November, stating among other things: "My words were wholly unacceptable. They were neither accurate, nor fair. They were unworthy of anyone who would claim to have an interest in politics." On 2 December, Bashir was suspended by the network and then resigned two days later. He issued a statement upon his resignation that said, "I deeply regret what was said, will endeavor to work hard at making constructive contributions in the future and will always have a deep appreciation for our viewers."

Music

Bashir enjoys playing bass guitar. He released a reggae album, Bass Lion, on 26 October 2010.

Personal life

Bashir is fluent in English and Urdu. He identifies himself as a committed Christian, and has attended Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York. He and his wife Deborah have three children Samuel, Phoebe and Eliza.