Breaking News & Breaking Barriers: Kate Adie at Riverstone

Reporting on History as It Happened

Kate Adie in conversation with Humphrey Hawksley, took guests on a journey through some of the most defining moments of modern history. She spoke of her unexpected path into journalism, navigating a profession that, at the time, offered limited opportunities for women. From covering riots in Northern Ireland to breaking news at the Iranian Embassy Siege, her career has been one of resilience, adaptability, and an unrelenting pursuit of the truth.

“You learn how to approach people, how to handle unpredictable situations, and above all, how to listen,” she shared, reflecting on the lessons learned from decades on the frontlines.

Bearing Witness: The Iranian Embassy Siege & Tiananmen Square

One of the defining moments of her career came in 1980, when she found herself reporting live as the SAS stormed the Iranian Embassy. A junior reporter at the time, she had been assigned the night shift—what was expected to be a quiet evening. Instead, she found herself narrating the dramatic rescue operation live on BBC News, with an audience of over 20 million viewers.

She recalled the intensity of that moment, the adrenaline, and the responsibility of delivering the facts as events unfolded in real-time.

The conversation then shifted to Tiananmen Square, an assignment that took her to Beijing during the 1989 student protests.

“What began as peaceful demonstrations turned into one of the darkest nights I have ever witnessed,” she recalled.

Describing the chilling moment, she realized the military had been given orders to fire on civilians—a night that became a five-hour massacre. With no other foreign press able to access the square, the BBC captured the only existing footage from inside the protest. She described how she was injured by a bullet grazed her elbow while covering the Tiananmen Square Massacre—a harrowing experience that underscored the risks journalists face in pursuit of the truth. 

The Art of the Interview & Moments of Levity

Beyond the danger and intensity of war zones, Kate also spoke about the art of interviewing, sharing anecdotes about interactions with world leaders, protestors, and everyday people whose voices rarely make the headlines. From navigating high-stakes conversations with Margaret Thatcher to learning how to gain the trust of frightened refugees, she offered fascinating insights into the delicate balance of journalism—when to press, when to listen, and when to simply step back and let the story tell itself.

There were also moments of laughter, as she recounted mishaps from the field, from technical blunders to encounters with interviewees who had no intention of giving her a straight answer.

The afternoon concluded with an interactive Q&A, where guests had the opportunity to ask Kate their own questions, leading to fascinating discussions on the future of journalism, media bias, and the courage required to uncover the truth.

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