BBC editor calls Rachel Jupp a ‘bold choice’ for news chief

The BBC has appointed Rachel Jupp as director of BBC News, a role with responsibility for about 4,500 staff and a seat on the broadcaster’s executive committee. The BBC says she will be paid £400,000. [1]

Jupp previously worked at Channel 4 News and was deputy editor of BBC Two’s Newsnight. She became editor of Panorama in 2016 and held the post for four years. More recently, she has led the BBC’s editorial work on generative AI from the US. Jupp said she was “honoured to be asked to lead BBC News”. [1]

Her predecessor, Deborah Turness, announced in November 2025 that she would step down over the editing of a speech by President Trump in a Panorama episode. Jupp had left the programme several years before that episode aired. The BBC apologised, saying the edit had created a mistaken impression that Trump had directly called for violent action, but rejected his demand for compensation. Trump has brought a $10bn lawsuit against the BBC; the broadcaster says a trial is scheduled for 2027. [1]

Jupp will take charge of the division after around 550 news job closures have been announced, with more expected, according to the BBC. Across the corporation, it plans to cut 1,800 to 2,000 jobs as it seeks to save £500m over two years. Jonathan Munro, interim head of BBC News for the past 11 months, will return to his deputy director role when Jupp takes up the post. [1]

Update

BBC culture and media editor Katie Razzall has called Rachel Jupp a ‘bold choice’ as the broadcaster’s new director of news, pointing to the scale of the newsroom she will lead. [2]

Writing for BBC News on 5 October, Razzall praised Jupp’s work at Panorama, Newsnight and Channel 4 News. But she noted that Jupp has not spent years leading teams as large as BBC News’s global newsroom, which has around 4,500 staff. Jupp currently heads the BBC’s news documentaries and long-form journalism work. [2]

Razzall sees Jupp’s earlier work on the BBC’s approach to artificial intelligence as significant in light of director general Matt Brittin’s emphasis on reinvention. She raised questions about AI’s potential role in the newsroom rather than describing an agreed strategy. [2]

Razzall also said BBC News must find £51m in savings, part of a £500m target for the broadcaster. She reported that job cuts are under way and journalists are reapplying for roles; staff she had spoken to wanted clearer priorities. [2]