Carrie Gracie resignation

I always got the feeling the role of China Editor was created specifically for Carrie Gracie due to her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm of all things China, so not sure if anyone will replace her. But if they do, how about someone like Ben Brown?

As for Carrie herself, it will most likely be the News Channel or World (where exactly I don't know). I never really thought she'd suit Network bulletins for some reason. A bit like Martine Croxall, amazing on the NC but just something about them wouldn't suit the nationals.

I can see he covering for VD or perhaps something like Newsday?

Far more likely to be someone with experience of China, such as one of the current or former Beijing correspondents.

As for Carrie - she could go to radio as well such as Today or the World Service.

So are you saying that Will Gompertz and Dan Roan should get the same as Jeremy Bowen and Laura Kuenssberg? They are all editors.


Also where I work there are 3 of us doing pretty much the same job, I'm 99% certain we won't get the same pay, as one off pay rises would have to be justified and you'd be sticking your head above the line as a troublemaker and it generally depends on if you've worked your way up or came in at that level, with the latter generally getting more. Obviously this isn't on TV or in the public sector or in a unionised industry.

As for replacing Carrie, there is no way in a million years it will be a man. Can you image the fuss. I expect the role will be discontinued and some other correspondent roles revised with different remits.

There's no need to be quite so flippant. I would argue that you do need specialised 'skills, experience or knowledge' to cover the North American brief. The clue is in the title. The last time that I checked, North America included Canada, Mexico, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. In light of a) the diversity and frequency of reports from these areas - for example, covering hurricanes, the trade, etc. - and b) the historical links between these areas and Europe - eg., the UK, France, etc. - a specialised knowledge is required.

Of course, therein lies the problem . Ginnyfan is not alone in the equating the North America Editor with the United States. There are, however, important stories at play in countries such as Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Honduras and the other countries in the area that have an impact upon policy and policy position in the both the UK and Europe. To my mind, the North America Editor should be looking to these areas for stories. If you pick up a newspaper or look at a periodical, the stories are there. Important stories that need to be told.



I can see your point here but I think it speaks more to how the BBC recognised that the world was changing. Think about it this way - for years, the titled correspondents of note were John Simpson (World Affairs Editor), Kate Adie (Chief News Correspondent) and Martin Bell (Chief International Correspondent). Perhaps in response to a) the breakup of the USSR and the changing geopolitical landscape and b) a realisation that Simpson et al. would not be around forever, the BBC responded. Jeremy Bowen was made Middle East Editor, Justin Webb was appointed the first North America Editor, etc. Ironically, globalisation - which should have eroded barriers and borders - mandated that specialist editors were required. The growth of China as a cultural, economic and political superpower necessitated that the creation of an editorial role. The fact that Carrie Gracie was fluent in Mandarin and worked there on a regular basis was bonus in that sense.



The problem with this scenario is that you have domestic and international editors. I don't think it's possible to equate the role of Arts Editor to that of Middle East Editor - it's not as if war will break out between Tate Britain and Tate Modern - but you could argue that the number of correspondents and the breadth of remit for the Sports Editor was as great as that of the North America Editor.

To be fair I don’t think Jon Sopel has reported on any of the countries outside the USA in his current role. It is very much a US focussed position. That isn’t a criticism of him by the way. It’s the reality of the job.

Will Grant in Havana tends to cover most Latin America & Caribbean stories, with occasional assistance from James Cook in LA, while South America is covered from São Paulo.

The only time that any of the Washington based team have visited the Caribbean of late was during the recent hurricanes.

Yes, they have the same role and responsibilities for their individual beats, they should be on the same pay, or at least, in the same pay band. There shouldn't be a massive difference in pay between one editor and another.

#bbcwomen BBC bosses say my salary from 29th Jan back on News Channel will be 145K. Say #EqualPay. Will be paid more for sitting in warm studio than hurtling round country of 1.4 billion 24/7. Strange.

— Carrie Gracie (@TheCarrieGracie) January 9, 2018

Does that mean she will be back behide the desk from the 29th Jan?

29th is a Monday so fingers crossed she will be on between 9-11 (wishful thinking!) Bit of an increase from when she previously disclosed her salary on air

Maybe she'll be on afternoon live I think she peed off she getting lots more money for doing much less work..

Yes the old duo reunited, would be excellent if that were to happen