Rachel Jupp has been named as the BBC’s Director of News Documentaries and Long Form Journalism following Gaza documentary review.
Currently Editorial Executive on the BBC’s GenAI programme, she will now shape the strategic vision and direction of its long-form journalism and current affairs output.
The role will mean she also sits on the BBC News Board.
Before taking on the AI role in 2023, she was Editorial Executive of BBC Content and prior to that spent almost a decade at Panorama as Deputy Editor and later Editor.
She’s also worked at Channel 4 News as its Head of Home News, and NPR in New York.
The role is a new one and was created in response to the Peter Johnston Review into the BBC documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone.
“Rachel is one of the most experienced leaders in the news industry, with a track record of outstanding work, both inside and outside the BBC,” said Interim CEO of BBC News & Current Affairs, Jonathan Munro.
“I’m delighted she’s decided to return to the UK to take up this key role and we look forward to welcoming her back.”
As part of the Generative AI team, she’s been working on all editorial issues related to the use of the tools within the BBC, including the risks and challenges.
“The BBC makes some of the world’s best news documentaries, podcasts and radio programming and it’s a great privilege to be asked to lead the teams behind them,” she said.
“People want analysis, in-depth reporting and the best investigative journalism from the BBC and I’m really looking forward to starting this new role, providing editorial and strategic leadership across our long form output.”
She’ll start next year.
