Janet Street Porter - Speaker

Janet Street-Porter is a broadcaster, producer, and writer known for her contributions to British television. Born in Fulham, London, she studied architecture before transitioning into journalism. Street-Porter began her career as a freelance journalist and later worked as an editorial assistant on Petticoat magazine, focusing on design. She then became a columnist for the Daily Mail, specializing in fashion. Street-Porter also worked as a fashion editor for the London Evening Standard, which led to her involvement in radio work. In 1973, she helped launch the London radio station LBC.

Her first significant television opportunity came when John Birt, then Director of Programmes at London Weekend Television, offered her a job co-presenting the youth-oriented current affairs show "Today" (1975-79). She also had presenting roles on other shows, such as "Saturday" (1978-80) alongside Clive James and Russell Harty, and produced Twentieth Century Box (LWT, 1980-82). Street-Porter co-hosted The 6 O'Clock Show (LWT, 1982-88) and presented The Chat Show (LWT, 1982).

In 1994, she left the BBC to join long-distance walker Ffyona Campbell on the final leg of her round-the-world walk for the documentary "In 1998 she embarked on a walk across Britain from Dungeness in Kent to Conway in Wales for the seven-part series Coast". In July 1999, she was appointed editor of The Independent on Sunday, significantly increasing its circulation to 270,460. Street-Porter has been recognized for her influence in the industry, receiving nominations for awards like the Carlton Television Mae West Award for the most outspoken woman in the industry.