Homeless TV journalist to present newspaper’s online videos

Posted by Martin Stabe on 17 December 2007 at 08:00
Tags: Argus, Journalism, video

A former newsreader for ITN and CNBC who has been sleeping rough in Hove will present his local newspaper’s online video bulletins from today.

Ed Mitchell’s story of spiralling personal debt that had led from a £100,000 salary to homelessness was followed up by the national press.

“As a financial and business journalist, I must have been as daft as a brush to get in this position,” Mitchell said of his mounting debts, according to the Telegraph.

Following readers’ comments on the original story, The Argus has announced that Mitchell will present the daily video news bulletins on the Argus website for one week beginning today.

The paper this week continued its coverage of Mitchell’s story with a video report and a feature in which Mitchell talks candidly about the role alcohol played in his riches-to-rags tale.

In that story, Mitchell told The Argus: “I was a journalist and in that industry alcohol plays a role, including with me.

“I’ve been in rehabilitation and I’ve had counselling for alcoholism.

The follow-up story also includes a message of support from one former CNBC colleague which has been left in the comments section of the previous story.

The 54-year-old has said that he is hoping to revive his journalism career, which began in 1974 — and do charity work for the homeless.

Tags: Argus, Journalism, video