Barbara Frum was one of Canada’s most respected and influential journalists. Raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, she began her career in journalism as a freelance writer and commentator for CBC Radio soon after graduating from the University of Toronto. As a young journalist, she also wrote columns for the Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star and a television column for Saturday Night magazine. She went on to co-host the evening news for Toronto’s local CBC station. In the fall of 1971, she took on the co-hosting duties of As It Happens, an innovative newsmagazine show on CBC national radio. Through the use of long-distance telephones, listeners were connected live to world events. For ten years, Frum interviewed world leaders, national politicians and other newsmakers as well as those affected by the news and she earned respect as one of Canada’s most authoritative and incisive journalists.
She was honoured with numerous awards during her tenure, most notably the National Press Club of Canada Award for Outstanding Contribution to Canadian Journalism in 1975, Woman of the Year in Literature, Arts and Education category of the Canadian Press in 1976, multiple Gemini Awards, and the Order of Canada in l979.In 1982 CBC Television launched the ground-breaking TV newsmagazine program, The Journal with Frum as lead host and interviewer. It was the first time in Canadian journalism history that a woman held such a position. The Journal became the most-watched and highly respected news magazine show in Canada. Frum remained host of The Journal until her untimely death in 1992, from complications of chronic leukaemia She was 54 years old. Frum was married to Murray Frum and had 3 children. She was also an avid gardener and art collector. The collection of African art she built together with her husband is on permanent display at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
