Yalda Hakim makes Impact with BBC World News
Yalda Hakim has been appointed as the new face of Impact.
- Published by David Knox
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BBC World News presenter Yalda Hakim has been appointed as the new face of Impact.
Hakim joined from SBS in January 2013 as the lead reporter on Our World, reporting from conflict zones such as Afghanistan where she gained access to Afghanistan’s Bagram jail and President Karzai; Bangladesh to cover the garment factory collapse in Bangladesh; and investigated people-trafficking and torture in Yemen.
“I really believe the best way to tell a story is by being there and hearing from people first hand. I love being out in the field and I want to bring the Impact viewers with me. It’s a chance to show them more of the tales from the behind the headlines. Plus I get to work with an absolutely fantastic team and help reinforce BBC World News’ position as the leader in global breaking news,” she said.
“The timing of the show means we’ll be connecting with Asia and I am very excited to be given this opportunity to create an identity for Impact which excites this switched-on and news hungry audience. My background and experience mean I have a huge passion for stories coming out of this region and I am really looking forward to sharing this with our viewers around the globe.”
James Stephenson, Head of News for BBC World News, said: “I am delighted that Yalda has agreed to become the main presenter of Impact. She has made an enormous contribution to the channel since she joined last year with her investigative reporting from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and elsewhere. She will continue to combine that work in the field with her new role.”
Global anchor Jon Sopel will be stepping down as presenter of Global, to become the BBC’s North American Editor.
James Stephenson added, “Jon is an outstanding presenter and has played a major role in raising the profile of World News with his sharp journalism, tireless pursuit of big news-making interviews and evident sense of humour. He will be a big loss to Global, which he has presented since its launch. However, I am pleased that with World News now expanding rapidly in the US, Jon will continue to play an important part in the future success of the channel in a vitally important part of the world.”