Vaughan Smith English restaurateur, farmer, freelance video journalist Date of Birth: 22.07.1963 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Vaughan Smith
2. Frontline News TV and Independent Journalism
3. Contribution to Safety of Journalists
4. Awards and Recognition
5. Frontline Club and Farming Venture

Biography of Vaughan Smith

Vaughan Smith was born on July 22, 1963, in Gillingham, Kent. His father was a courier for the British Foreign Ministry and a colonel in the Grenadier Guards. Following in his father's footsteps, Smith became an officer in the same regiment and served in Northern Ireland, Germany, and Cyprus. He excelled in marksmanship and won the inter-army rifle shooting championship as captain of the army shooting team.

Frontline News TV and Independent Journalism

Before founding the agency 'Frontline News TV,' Smith worked as a test pilot in ultralight aviation. In the 1990s, he became an independent operator and news journalist, covering wars and armed conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Chechnya, Kosovo, and other places. Smith personally filmed the only uncontrolled video footage of military actions in the Gulf in 1991, infiltrating a military unit disguised as a British army officer.

During this time, Smith managed 'Frontline News TV,' an agency formed in 1989 to represent the interests of young video journalists who wanted to go beyond the confines of their profession. The work of 'Frontline News TV' captivated the imagination of a whole generation of young freelancers and reached the pinnacle of journalism, according to John Simpson, one of the international editors of BBC.

Contribution to Safety of Journalists

As a freelancer, Smith worked for many leading global television companies for years and became an expert in the field of freelance work in conflict zones. This experience inspired him to develop programs that ensure the safety of journalists. During his career as a freelance operator, either independently or as part of a group, Smith received 28 professional awards, although he was twice injured during assignments.

Awards and Recognition

One of Smith's notable works is the film 'The Valley,' which he filmed about the war in Kosovo. It remains one of the most famous and popular documentary films ever shown on the British Channel 4 Television. In 2007, Smith received the 'Guardian Media Innovation Award,' and in 2008, he became a finalist for the 'Rory Peck Award' for his independent video blog from Afghanistan, 'From the Frontline.' During the 'Rory Peck Awards' ceremony, Smith sharply criticized news agencies and television companies for not giving due recognition to operators for their work.

Frontline Club and Farming Venture

In 2003, Smith founded the 'Frontline Club' in London, an organization supporting independent journalists and promoting a better understanding of international news and its coverage. In addition to his journalism and media ventures, Smith manages an eco-farm on his estate in Ellingham Hall, Norfolk, England. The estate spans approximately 600 acres of fields and forests and includes an expansive Georgian-style mansion that has been in his family for over three centuries. The farm supplies seasonal produce for the 'Frontline Club' and the club's restaurant.

In 2010, Smith provided refuge to Julian Assange, the founder of the WikiLeaks network project, first at the 'Frontline Club' and later at his country home. Vaughan Smith currently resides in Ellingham Hall with his wife and their four children.