BBC News: Presenters & Rotas

On the other hand, I can't be the only one suspecting an existing onair correspondent will be promoted to Editor status and their previous position, in effect, disappear. I'm sure I'm being hyper cynical here, but with recent media comments about the number of male editors to female editor(s) at the broadcaster, it seems interesting that they're adding editors to two briefs usually (though not exclusively) covered by women (Reeta Chackrabati, Jane Hughes, Jane Draper etc.). It would certainly be interesting to see if by the end of the year the BBC have three female Editors, all in newly-created positions, and ten male editors.

They also seem to be slightly odd briefs to add. I would have thought defense would make more sense than education, for example? The job of an editor isn't usually just to report on a particular issue, but actively break stories through a wide range of contacts. Unless this is the BBC's attempt to 'own' healthcare and education stories by appointing broadcasters with better connections, I'm not sure I see the point. And usually those types of stories are handled by political correspondents (or editor) anyway. Caroline Wyatt, by contrast, must have a fairly strong hold of the defense industry by now?

Of note, both Rico Hizon and Sharanjit Leyl have presented from London before, albeit World Business Report in the old N8 studio around 3 years ago, and also only for 2 weeks each.

Babita mentioned on Twitter that her stint in Singapore is only for a very short time, as will Rico's stint in London be, I'd imagine. Probably just a kind of 'job experience' stint in either location to give the presenters a 'feel' of other elements of the operation.

Davos: first year, as long as I can remember, that Tanya Beckett hasn't been there.

It is with great sadness that it's been announced that Komla Dumor has died suddenly aged 41, I hope we can all pass our sympathies to his family and BBC News staff. I've just send a tribute on WN to him with somebody I presume from one of the African Services, Lyse Doucet and Daniela Ritoria who clearly had tears in her eyes at the end of bulletin, you could hear her starting to well up

There's a split BBC World News thread covering the sad passing of Komla Damor.

Just saw that Naga Munchetty on Breakfast... When did she come back on the show?

She's presented on the show for a long time. She does take breaks every now and then though, and occasionally presents during the week as well.

So with Martine Dennis off to Al Jazeera and the untimely passing of Komla Dumor is a reshuffle required to fill the 5am to 8am GMT shift?

This is the first I've heard of Martine moving! After such a long time with the BBC I am very suprised that she's moving to another broadcaster, will she be based in London or Doha?

Martine is leaving London for the sunnier climbs of Doha...

A lot of English presenters, both news and sport are now based in Doha, a lot of sports pundits fly out there too.

It feels so surreal for Rico to say he's in London, and to hand over to Babita in Singapore! It makes a really good change - I suppose they're both enjoying it too.

Studio C in NBH couldn't be any further away from the poky broom cupboard that is the Singapore studio.

Oh dear, Martine Dennis moving to Al Jazeera is rather surprising, considering she's an old timer much in the league with Peter Dobbie and such. Is this insider info or has it been mentioned in some news pieces?

On the same note, agree with you that they'll need to find a new fill-in presenter for The World Today (early morning) slot, on when Naga Munchetty's off, since we no longer have the regulars, Komla & Martine.