Kurt Barling

Kurt went to Comprehensive School in North London. He began his career as a gifted academic at the London School of Economics studying successfully all the way to Ph.D. level.

He became a journalist fired up by the need for rigorous and better access driven journalism in the wake of the terrible Broadwater Farm riots of 1985.

Since 1989 he has developed an exceptional broadcasting reputation for honesty, integrity, fairness and passion in the way he brings important stories to public attention.

For more than a decade since 2001 he has been an important face reporting the key issues facing London.

Kurt has been an exceptional BBC Special Correspondent offering insight into and gaining access to key figures in most of the most difficult stories facing the capital and in particular its BME communities in a decade of dramatic events.

Muslim radicalization post 9/11. Climbie Inquiry. 7/7 terrorism outrages including supporting the voices of those victims who went unheard. Tackling stories on organized criminal gangs like Abdullah Baybasin. Probing child trafficking and slavery in the capital. Exposing practices of witchcraft in some African churches. Stimulating debate on the causes of crime and their remedies. Ensuring the accountability of London Mayors on sensitive subjects like gangs and gun crime.

A number of Kurt’s stories have led to charity commission investigations (church irregularities), successful court cases (slavery), legislative amendments (bogus colleges), dispute resolution (North Circular Road empty homes).

Kurt is a Professor of Journalism at Middlesex University London helping to train future generations of journalists.

He is married to Kim and has three children.