Former Times Editor to Lead BBC News & Current Affairs

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LONDON: James Harding has been named as the director of BBC News and Current Affairs, replacing Helen Boaden, who has become the director of BBC Radio.

Harding will sit on the BBC’s executive and management boards. He will be overseeing the news and current affairs programming for the BBC. Previously, Harding was with The Times, where he was an editor from 2007 to 2012. Before that he was in a number of international posts at the Financial Times.

BBC director-general Tony Hall said: "I am delighted that James will be joining as the new director of BBC News and Current Affairs. High-quality journalism sits right at the heart of the BBC making this is an absolutely critical role.

"James has a very impressive track record as a journalist, editor and manager. I believe he will give BBC News a renewed sense of purpose as it moves away from what has been an undeniably difficult chapter. As an organization, the BBC will also benefit from his external perspective and experience which he will share as a member of the BBC’s executive team."

Harding added: "The BBC’s newsroom strives to be the best in the world, trusted for its accuracy, respected for its fairness and admired for the courage of its reporting. I am honored to be a part of it."