You are well known for your tie collection, what is your favourite tie? And on what occasions would you reserve it for?
Each day spawns a favourite tie..I genuinely like them all...I just grab whuichever suits my prevailing mood at 8.30 am - a mood informed, in part, by the news and, in part, by the state of my head!
How did you get into journalism?
Nepotism, luck, hard work, and still more luck.
What is the highlight of your career?
El Salvador 1982 [he won the Valiant for Truth media award for his report, ‘El Salvador: Shoot-out on Polling Day’] and I hope Brazil 2009 (to come).
Who do you look up to in the industry?
Jim Gray, my editor, Kevin Lygo at Channel Four and not just because my job depends upon them!
Were you really once offered to be part of MI5?
Actually I think it was M16...it wasn't clear...but the offer was.
You appeared in the Age of Stupid, have you signed up to 10:10?
I have.
You recently had your bike stolen, how big an effect did that have on you?
I have replaced it...I miss it...it was an organic part of me - we both knew each others foibles. To say I'm a bit of a bike fan is an understatement.
Is it true you declined an OBE, if so why?
I did because I don't think working hacks should take honours from the authorities they are charged with reporting.
What do you make of the recent attacks on the BBC?
Not good, but I don't think the BBC has been very clever at avoiding them.
Do you think people should pay for online news?
If its irresistable enough yes.
What is your view on the current state of journalism and the media?
Exciting. It's far more democratic and interactive than at any time in my working life-time. It has amazing potential.
Is it true that you didn't complete your degree because of your role in a student protest?
True it is. I helped organise a sit-in over, my then University's (Liverpool), investments in apartheid South Africa.
So, were you a big student activist at university?
I was what I am now in terms of big - 6ft 4, so I guess that would have made me a 'big activist'.
Why do you think parties are avoiding the issue of tuition fees?
No one has a solution. I think that all parties will be constrained by the recession. I'd suspect that, other than in Scotland, all parties will end up doing the same thing.
How was your time as a student?
Magic. My only regret is that the immediate grief I suffered at the time of being 'sent down' was not alleviated by the knowledge that somehow I would survive and thrive.
How powerful do you think is the student vote?
Potentially huge.
Jon Snow presents Channel 4 News weeknights at 7pm
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