Kenneth Reid (23 June 1955 – 19 November 2024) was a Northern Irish journalist. He retired from his position as political editor at UTV on 31 March 2021. He was succeeded by Tracey Magee.Belfast Telegraph: "Secrets and Lies: UTV Political Editor Ken Reid". 20 August 2005. Accessed 6 February 2009.
Career Reid was born in Belfast on 23 June 1955. Accessed 5 April 2009. His career as a journalist began at News Letter in 1977, where he remained for seven years. This was followed by stints as the sports editor, and later editor, of the Sunday News from 1984 to 1987, and reporting for the Cork Examiner from 1987 to 1994.
Reid joined UTV in 1994. He was one of two journalists at the station believed to have not been considered for a voluntary redundancy package at the station in late 2008.Belfast Telegraph: "UTV stars fear for jobs as bosses swing axe". 17 October 2008. Accessed 6 February 2009. Reid blogged on UTV's website on political affairs in Northern Ireland from May 2008.u.tv: Blogs - Ken Reid. .
Personal life and death Reid studied at Methodist College Belfast and the University of Hull, becoming involved with the student newspaper at the latter institution. He was married and had three children.
Reid was a fan of Cliftonville, Everton and Ballymena.
In 2017, he revealed he had been diagnosed with a form of leukaemia.
Reid died aged 69, on 19 November 2024.
Honours Reid received the honour of News Broadcaster of the Year at the CIPR Press and Broadcast Awards in 2005Hold the Front Page: "Northern Ireland prize winners celebrate". . 20 April 2005. Accessed 11 January 2008. and 2006.Hold the Front Page: "Irish journalists make their mark as awards are handed out". . 5 April 2006. Accessed 11 January 2008.
In January 2024, he was awarded a Queen's University Belfast Chancellor's Medal alongside Stephen Grimason.
References
External links
Ken Reid's politics blog on u.tv (12 May 2011 Archive)