Gofrixty [4 September 2025] – Michael Charlton, the renowned journalist and broadcaster, has died aged 98. His death signals the end of an era in Australian journalism, but his legacy will linger for many years to come.
Charlton made history in 1956 as the initial person to appear on ABC television. Just five years later, in 1961, he became the first host of Four Corners. It became Australia’s dominant current affairs show, and Charlton’s frank questioning and calm presence, along with an unfashionable lack of apparent investment, did much to influence Australia’s vision of what serious journalism on television should be.
He was awarded the Gold Logie in 1963, in recognition of his influence in the country’s leading broadcaster. Charlton’s career didn’t end in Australia. He later emigrated to Britain, where he reported internationally for the BBC and won recognition aborad for his coverage. And he wrote about world events with the same credibility and balance that had characterized his work at home.
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He was often referred to by colleagues as a pioneer who spanned the journalism worlds of Australia and Britain. His commitment to truth and accuracy won him the admiration of his younger reporters. A mentor to many, he demonstrated that journalism wasn’t just about storytelling; it was about holding power accountable.
Hommages have flooded in following his death. His journalistic peers and public figures also lauded his integrity, his professionalism, his connection with the audience. To others, he was more than a broadcaster; he was the voice of authority that people turned to during times of crisis.
The work of Michael Charlton transformed journalism in Australia. His dedication to honest reporting established benchmarks that continue to influence media professionals. While he has left, the impact of his tenure is felt in the programs he helped develop and in the values he cherished and lived.
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