David Smith, Channel 4 News’s Washington correspondent for the past 13 years and an ITN journalist for the past 25, is leaving the broadcaster at the end of August to “teach, write and spend more time with the family”.
Having taught journalism at the Universities of Michigan and Mary-land, he will remain in the US to teach.
Smith, who joined ITN from Reuters in 1978, is the longest-serving member of the British press corps in the US capital.
He said he was grateful to all the friends and colleagues who had made it possible “to fulfil so many of my professional dreams. It’s been a remarkable journey with ITN and it gives me great pride to consider what we’ve achieved at Channel 4 News.”
In 1983 he won an RTS Award for his war reporting from Beirut.
Jim Gray, editor of Channel 4 News, said of Smith: “No one tells it quite like David – a must-see correspondent who’s reported America with greater character and greater insight than anyone else. In particular, he’s read the presidential runes and the shifting politics and character of US administrations magnificently and memorably.”
Stewart Purvis, outgoing ITN chief executive and editor-in-chief, said Smith, during his 25 years at ITN, “has demonstrated a distinctive style and provided unique insights”.
By Wale Azeez
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