Bestic: ‘experienced foreign correspondent’
Sky News Asia correspondent Richard Bestic has been promoted to establish and run the new India bureau in Delhi.
Having been in his Beijing-based role for the past five years, covering stories such as the Bali bombing, SARS epidemic and the conjoined twins in Singapore, Bestic will take up the post in January and will be accompanied by a field producer and cameraman. He will also cover Pakistan, Bangladesh and most of the subcontinent.
“The size and rich variety of the Indian subcontinent will undoubtedly provide challenges,” Bestic said.
“We will be based in Delhi but will range far and wide, covering news, business, sport and culture throughout the continent. Within easy striking distance of New Delhi are Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Burma and Afghanistan.”
Bestic joined Sky News in 1989 and, together with political editor Adam Boulton, he established the channel’s political bureau.
His journalistic career began with a newspaper apprenticeship before joining a Fleet Street news agency. He then moved into commercial radio before joining IRN.
Deputy head of Sky News Simon Cole said Bestic was one of the channel’s most experienced foreign correspondents.
“His remit from Beijing covered much of Asia, so he already has covered stories in and around India, which will stand him in good stead for launching the bureau,” he added.
The vacancy in Beijing will be advertised in the near future.
By Wale Azeez
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