TOM ROBERTS - Researcher / Media Historian

With a passion for research and a reputation for dogged delving in archives around the world, Dr Tom Roberts has helped journalists, broadcasters, academics and publishers with dozens of projects. 

Tom is also a successful author and media contributor in his own right. 

September 2024 will see the publication by Scribe of BONJOUR, MADEMOISELLE! April Ashley and the Pursuit of a Lovely Life, written with Jacqueline Kent.

'Drawing on a wide variety of sources, award-winning biographers Jacqueline Kent and Tom Roberts tell the full story of April Ashley’s extraordinary life at the vanguard of the sexual revolution and the movement for trans equality.'

BEFORE RUPERT: Keith Murdoch and the Birth of a Dynasty, published by UQP, won the 2017 NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY AWARD, Australia's premier prize for life writing. The judges commented: 

'Before Rupert is deeply scholarly yet utterly accessible and enticing ... Roberts has crafted a masterful biography, full of remarkable insights.'

HOW TRUMP THINKS: His Tweets and the Birth of a New Politial Language, co-written with Peter Oborne, was published by Head of Zeus in May 2017.

'Oborne and Roberts's book is a service to scholars', Guardian

'[A] hilarious yet frightening book', The West Australian

THE MAKING OF MURDOCH: Power, Politics and What Shaped the Man Who Owns the Media was published in the UK and US in January 2020 by IB Tauris / Bloomsbury. In its review, Spear's Magazine commented:

'To unpeel the layers of "the man who owns the media", it’s difficult to think of someone more qualified than Tom Roberts ... Roberts again applies his forensic approach and scholarly rigour to contextualise this most imperious of media magnates against his vast political influence.' 

SAMPLE PRODUCTIONS & PRESS

Bitter Blood: Murdoch v Murdoch Audible 

The Murdochs: Empire of Influence CNN - Left/Right 

Gallipoli: When Murdoch Went to War BBC 2 

Late Night Live ABC Radio National 

Murdoch Begins Irish Times

Windsor & Murdoch Independent

Murdoch Empire The New York Times

Book of the Day Guardian

Trump's Tweets Evening Standard

Lethal Weapon Daily Mail 

The Murdochs Guardian

Media Dynasty Independent

Biography Award Sydney Morning Herald