Bill Whitaker (journalist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Whitaker
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Whitaker at the 2018 Committee to Protect Journalists International Press Freedom Awards
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| Born | August 26, 1951 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. U.S.
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| Education | Hobart College (BA) Boston University (MA) UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism (MS) |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Known for | 60 Minutes |
Bill Whitaker is a well-known American television journalist. He was born on August 26, 1951. Many people know him as a correspondent for the famous CBS News program 60 Minutes.
Contents
Becoming a Journalist
Early Life and School
Bill Whitaker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He went to Hobart College and earned a degree in American history. Later, he studied at Boston University. There, he earned a master's degree in African-American studies. He also attended a special journalism program at the University of California, Berkeley in 1978.
Starting His Career
Bill Whitaker began his career in broadcast journalism in 1979. His first job was at a TV station called KQED in San Francisco. In 1982, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, to work for WBTV. He then covered politics in Atlanta from 1985 to 1989.
Reporting the News
Joining CBS News
Bill Whitaker joined CBS News as a reporter in November 1984. He became the CBS News correspondent in Tokyo, Japan, from 1989 to 1992. In November 1992, he moved to Los Angeles. There, he continued his work as a CBS News correspondent.
Covering Big Events
During his time at CBS, Whitaker reported on many important events. He covered major disasters like the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan. He also reported on the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He even traveled to Kabul to cover the War in Afghanistan.
Whitaker also reported on important social issues. He covered topics related to policing in cities like Cleveland, Chicago, and Tulsa. In Tulsa, he conducted a notable interview with a former police officer about a significant event.
On 60 Minutes and Jeopardy!
In March 2014, Bill Whitaker became a correspondent for 60 Minutes. This is a very popular news program. He started reporting for the show in the fall of that year.
In 2021, after the host Alex Trebek passed away, Whitaker was one of several people chosen to be a guest host for the game show Jeopardy!. His ten episodes aired from May 3 to May 14, 2021.
Awards and Honors
Bill Whitaker has received special recognition for his work. In 1997, he was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. In June 2015, he received another honorary doctorate from Knox College in Illinois.
About Bill Whitaker
Bill Whitaker lives in New York City.
