Justin Webb is a prominent journalist and presenter, currently part of the team on Radio 4's Today programme, where he interviews key figures alongside Mishal Husain, Emma Barnett, Amol Rajan, and Nick Robinson. Previously, he served as the BBC North America Editor, covering significant events such as the 2008 Presidential election and the rise of Barack Obama, the first black President of the United States. He remains engaged with American politics, reporting on events from Capitol Hill and Wall Street, and was the first British journalist to conduct a full television interview with Obama.
Before his role in Washington, Justin was the BBC’s European Correspondent in Brussels, reporting on various global events, including elections in Australia, a coup in the Maldives, and the final days of the Soviet Union. He has also anchored Breakfast News and The World Tonight.
In addition to his work on Today, Justin co-hosts the Americast podcast, which offers insights into US events. He is a sought-after conference chair and awards host, known for his engaging speaking style on topics ranging from Brexit to Trump. His after-dinner speeches explore American culture, drawing from his books, including Have A Nice Day and Notes on Them and Us, which highlight differences in interviewing styles between British and American journalists. He has also published a memoir of the 1970s, The Gift of a Radio, praised by the Sunday Times as entertaining and insightful.
Justin Webb, former BBC North America Editor and current presenter on Radio 4's Today programme, has a wealth of experience covering significant global events. In his talk, Justin delves into the realities of America and Americans, drawing from his books "Have A Nice Day" and "Notes on Them and Us", and illustrating the differences in interviewing styles between 'Old' and 'New World' journalists.
