Respected broadcaster, journalist and businessman David Beatson has died after a long illness.
Beatson was born in Dunedin in 1944 and began his career in journalism as a cadet at the Otago Daily Times in 1962.
His career spanned newspaper, magazine, radio and television journalism, current affairs and involvement in the development of media policies, legislation, regulations, ethics and codes of practice.
He also worked in several other industries including tourism and aviation.
At various times he was a senior current affairs host for some of New Zealand's most influential television programmes and a presenter and interviewer on both radio and television.
