Vladimir Pozner
From Philosopedia
Pozner, Vladimir (1 April 1934 - )
A Russian journalist and former spokesman for the Soviet Union, Pozner was born in Paris, moved with his family to New York City in 1940, then moved to the Soviet-occupied zone of Berlin. In 1952 the family moved to Moscow, where he gaduated in 1958 with an M.A. in biology.
From 1958 to 1961, Pozner translated Elizabethan poetry into Russian, then joined Novosty Press Agency as a senior editor, later becoming executive editor of Soviet Life and Sputnik.
From 1970 to 1986, as a commentator he joined the USSR State Committee for TV and Radio. He began to appear on Nightline (ABC TV in the United States), as well as on NBC, CBS, CNN, CBC, and the BBC. However, he was denied travel rights by Soviety authorities, so all programs were via satellite hookup.
With the advent of perestroika and glasnost, Pozner was allowed to travel, and in 1989 he resigned in protest from the Communist Party and in 1991 resigned from the State Committee of TV and Radio, charging censorship.
In 1990 his Parting With Illusions became a national bestseller on The New York Times list for 12 weeks. On a CNBC talk show with Phil Donahue, Pozner confirmed that he is an atheist. In 1992, he wrote Eyewitness, a journalistic report on the failed August 1991 coup.
Pozner has won multiple Soviet, Russian, and American awards, including two Emmy certificates; its Russian equivalent, the Tefy award; and several international awards. He is internationally recognized and ranks among the most respected people in the television profession in Russia today.
Pozner is married to Katherine Orlova and has two children.
