Bashir, Martin (1963– )

English journalist. He is best known for his exposés of major cultural icons in television interviews, notably Princess Diana in 1995 and Michael Jackson in 2003.

As an investigative reporter for the British television channel ITV from 1999 to 2004, he reported on a couple who cheated to earn the top prize in the popular quiz programme Who Wants to be a Millionaire and conducted the only interview with Louise Woodward, the English au-pair found guilty of manslaughter of the baby in her charge in Boston, Massachusetts. Bashir's interviews caused major sensations. In his interview with Princess Diana for the Panorama news programme, for example, she revealed her struggles with her difficult marriage, tension in the royal family, depression, and bulimia. The interview Living with Michael Jackson: A Tonight Special triggered the child molestation charges brought against the rock star.

Bashir became a correspondent for the ABC news feature programme 20/20 in 2004.

Bashir was born in London and studied at King Alfred's College, Winchester. He worked for the BBC before joining ITV in 1999. He won a BAFTA award and was named the Royal Television Society's Journalist of the Year, both in 1996, for his interview of Princess Diana. Other notable interviewees include the five suspects accused for the murder of English teenager Stephen Lawrence in 1993, English politician Jeffrey Archer, and English entertainer Michael Barrymore.