Emma Barnett joins Newsnight team as Emily Maitlis takes lead role
New all-women team completed by Kirsty Wark, who will present the flagship political show on the BBC
Emily Maitlis and Emma Barnett will form two-thirds of the BBC’s new Newsnight team together with Kirsty Wark, in an all-female presenting line-up.
Maitlis will be the flagship show’s lead presenter, joined by her fellow Jewish journalist, who currently presents the Emma Barnett Show on BBC Five Live on weekday mornings. Wark, a 25-year Newsnight veteran based in Glasgow, takes on an “enhanced” role.
Barnett has won praise since joining the Beeb from the Telegraph, filling in as host on the Andrew Marr Show, and says she “came out as a Jew” live on radio while hosting a phone-in on LBC.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Emma, whose formidable skill as an interviewer and no nonsense approach further strengthens the programme’s agenda-setting impact,” said Newsnight’s new editor Esme Wren.
The new Newsnight team was one of Wren’s top priorities after moving to Broadcasting House last month from Sky News, where she was head of politics and business. She took over from Ian Katz, who is Jewish, after he left early last year to become head of programming at Channel 4.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
