BBC News at Ten and BBC World News presenter Mishal Husain is joining the on-air team on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Mishal will join the morning show in the Autumn hosting alongside John Humphrys, James Naughtie, Sarah Montague, Evan Davis and Justin Webb.
Other changes on the programme means James Naughtie will take on an enhanced role, covering the BBC’s coverage of the independence referendum in Scotland and hosting Good Morning Scotland on BBC Radio Scotland for two days a week.
He’ll be back presenting on the Today programme full time prior to the General Election in 2015.
BBC Director-General Tony Hall said: “It is such great news that Mishal will be joining the Today programme. She is a first rate journalist who will be an excellent addition to what is already a very strong team. I am also particularly pleased that her appointment means there will be another female voice on the programme, which I believe is extremely important.”
“I am also pleased that Jim Naughtie will be playing a key role in our Scottish Referendum coverage across all outlets alongside his work on Today. The Referendum will be one of the biggest news stories next year. Jim is a brilliant journalist as his reporting from Egypt in recent days has illustrated once again.”
Mishal said: “I have long been an admirer of Today and am delighted to have the opportunity to join the team. The programme has unparalleled influence across BBC News and on our national conversation and I am looking forward to being part of it.”
James said: “I am thrilled at this enhancement of my role on Today. Constitutional debate and decision next year has great historic importance for Scotland and the whole of the UK, so I am excited to be in the thick of it, on both sides of the border, from start to finish.”
Mishal currently presents Sunday’s BBC News at Ten and is the main host of Impact, a 90-minute daily programme on BBC World News. She was the BBC’s first Washington-based presenter and has also presented a range of BBC programmes including Newsnight, Breakfast, and Radio 4 news and current affairs.
Last year Mishal was one of the key faces of the BBC’s Olympics coverage.
James has been with the BBC for 25 years and has presented Today since 1994, and previously a presenter on the World at One.
Posted on Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 1:41 pm by RadioToday UK