Rachel Jupp: A Bold Choice for BBC News Chief, Says Katie Razzall
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Rachel Jupp is a bold choice for the BBC's director of news. She is a well-regarded high flier who has impressed in her roles at Panorama, Newsnight, and Channel 4 News. She is currently the BBC's director of news documentaries and long form journalism. But she hasn't held this role for long and hasn't spent years leading huge teams (BBC News' global newsroom has around 4,500 staff).
A lack of direct experience in managing such a large team might have been a concern in the past. However, the BBC's new director general, coming from Google, frequently appoints individuals with strategic vision and drive who may not have traditional experience in a role. He is focused on distinctive journalism and reinvention.
Jupp's appointment signals a shift in direction both regarding the changes the new boss believes are necessary and the use of technology.
Before taking up her current role in documentaries, Jupp had moved to the US and was a senior member of the BBC's AI team, developing and leading the BBC's approach to artificial intelligence.
It's significant that the former Google boss has chosen someone with that experience to lead his news teams, raising questions around the potential of AI to open up the next frontier in modern newsrooms.
However, the new director of news faces significant challenges. She leads a news operation still reeling from a series of crises that ultimately led to the departures of her predecessor, Deborah Turness, and director general Tim Davie.
She must oversee £51 million in savings that news must make (comprising one tenth of the BBC's overall £500 million cost-cutting target). Job cuts are already underway, journalists are having to reapply for their roles, and more significant cuts are on the horizon. Staff are seeking clear direction and an end to the "salami slicing" of resources. They want to know what the priorities are, what is crucial, and what is less important?
The teams she now leads will need a plan for how to achieve these deep cuts without compromising the quality of their work.
BBC News is renowned for its on-the-ground, eyewitness journalism. However, questions are being asked about whether the BBC needs to learn from its rivals by streamlining its coverage, prioritizing high-impact stories, and adopting a more lean approach.
Her challenges are both editorial and logistical.
After 10 months without a permanent boss, a sense of drift has emerged at BBC News. Staff understand, as the new DG reiterates, that the BBC must adapt to where audiences are and will be in the future.
But staff want to know what this means in practice and how news will be reorganised. The biggest challenge is adapting to the rapid change in viewing habits. While a loyal base of viewers still tunes in on linear channels, the direction of travel is towards digital platforms. There will be resistance from various stakeholders as the BBC shifts away from traditional formats and technology.