Rachel Jupp has been appointed as the new director of BBC News, stepping into the role nearly a year after her predecessor, Deborah Turness, announced her resignation. Turness stepped down last November amid fallout from the editing of a speech by then-President Trump for a Panorama episode.
Jupp, who has held positions as deputy editor of BBC Two's Newsnight and editor of Panorama, stated she was "honoured to be asked to lead BBC News." BBC's Director-General Matt Brittin described her as "an outstanding editorial leader," widely regarded for her "news judgment, fairness and high standards."
Her appointment comes as the BBC undergoes significant restructuring within its news division. Approximately 550 job closures have been announced, with further reductions expected as the corporation aims to save £500 million over two years to address "significant financial pressures." The BBC as a whole plans to cut between 1,800 and 2,000 jobs, representing nearly 10% of its workforce.
Jupp's career at the BBC began in 2013 as deputy editor of Newsnight. She then served as editor of Panorama from 2016 to 2020. More recently, she led the BBC's editorial work on generative AI from the United States. She will be responsible for approximately 4,500 staff and will join the BBC's executive committee. Her salary is set at £400,000 annually.
Jonathan Munro, who has been serving as interim head of the news division for the past 11 months, will return to his position as deputy director of BBC News upon Jupp's assumption of her new role. Brittin expressed gratitude for Munro's leadership during this period, noting his "deep experience, calm head and steady hand."
Brittin acknowledged the challenges facing BBC News, including audience fragmentation and contested facts in a global media landscape. "In a world of infinite choice, audiences are fragmenting, trust is scarce and facts are contested," he stated. "It is our duty to recommit to the BBC's distinctive journalistic mission while reinventing how we serve audiences, and to rise to these challenges. In Rachel, we have someone who can do both, with a fresh perspective to lead BBC News into a new era."
The controversy surrounding Turness's departure stemmed from a Panorama episode that viewers alleged had misleadingly edited a 2021 speech by President Trump. The BBC had apologized for the edit, which they said gave the "mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action," but contested Trump's subsequent $10 billion lawsuit. That case is currently scheduled for trial in 2027.