Amol Rajan is appointed as Media Editor, BBC News announces today
As the BBC’s first Media Editor, Amol will report on and oversee coverage on all stories about the rapidly developing media industry, from global mergers to digital advances and their impact on business, politics and culture across the world. The post will not only report on the latest media trends, but will help the audience to understand what the changes mean for the world around them.
Amol is an exceptional journalist, whose achievements as Editor of The Independent are widely admired. He has a proven record both as a story-getter and as a broadcaster
In addition, Amol will continue to present on BBC Radio. Since September, Amol has presented The Big Debate on BBC Asian Network. He has also presented an episode of Radio 4's Start The Week in November and will be presenting Any Answers on the same station on 10 December.
James Harding, the BBC's Director of News and Current Affairs, says: "Amol is an exceptional journalist whose achievements as Editor of The Independent are widely admired. He has a proven record both as a story-getter and as a broadcaster, which he demonstrated repeatedly to the recruitment board.
"At a time when traditional media across print, television, radio and advertising face unprecedented challenges, and new digital disrupters and social media platforms are acquiring immense power, it’s essential we tell our audiences the story of the rapidly changing industry and he will bring huge intellectual energy and dynamism to this important role."
Amol Rajan says: "I am thrilled to accept this challenge. The revolution in media is upending politics, business and culture across the globe. From the role of fake news in elections, to the filter bubbles created by Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and the rest, the new news is changing how we live. Meanwhile, the worlds of print, television and advertising face daunting financial futures - while the BBC embarks on a whole new chapter of its own following Charter Renewal. It's a vast brief but I am relishing the chance to get stuck in - and hugely excited to continue presenting on Asian Network."
Notes to Editors
Amol was appointed following an open and competitive recruitment process by a BBC News board.
Amol became Editor of The Independent in June 2013. Prior to his appointment, Amol was Media Adviser to Evgeny Lebedev, the publisher of The Independent and London Evening Standard.
He was previously Comment Editor, Leader Writer, and Sports News Correspondent for The Independent.
Viewers will know Amol from his appearances on programmes such as Question Time, MasterChef, Great British Menu, Newsnight, The Daily Politics, Lorraine, This Week and The Andrew Marr Show. For two years he held an on-screen role at Channel 5's The Wright Stuff. For six years he was a restaurant critic for The Independent on Sunday, and he has also written for publications including The Spectator, GQ, Politico Europe and New Statesman.
Amol, 33, grew up in Tooting, south London.
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