Best of the Spectator Women With Balls, from the archives: Jo Coburn
May 24, 2025
Jo Coburn, a seasoned broadcaster and former lead presenter of Politics Live, reflects on her remarkable 28-year BBC career. She shares her unique journey from multi-ethnic radio to the political spotlight, revealing thrilling moments of live interviews and the pressures of being a correspondent during the Blair era. Coburn addresses the vital issue of gender pay disparity at the BBC, advocating for transparency and accountability. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating public life in the digital age, including the impacts of social media and public scrutiny.
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Unexpected Start in Journalism
- Jo Coburn accidentally started her journalism career through a German-speaking freelance agency at a World Health Organization conference.
- She then worked on multi-ethnic Spectrum Radio doing a Jewish programme before moving into local radio news reporting.
Big Break: London Political Correspondent
- Jo Coburn's big break was becoming the London political correspondent covering the first London mayoral contest.
- She conducted notable interviews, including with Tony Blair, amidst a highly dynamic political environment.
Navigating Difficult Political Coverage
- Reporting on the Iraq war and related inquiries was a tense time, requiring careful, fair coverage.
- Jo had to quickly adapt live on air, handling unexpected topics and legal documents with authority.