BBC reportedly in final stretch in search for next director of news

The BBC has reportedly narrowed its search for its next director of news to four candidates, with final interviews taking place this week.

Jonathan Munro, who has served as acting head of BBC News since Deborah Turness resigned in November 2025, is among those being considered, according to Deadline sources. Channel 4 News editor Esme Wren is also reportedly a finalist.

BBC executives Rachel Jupp, director of news documentaries and long-form journalism, and Rhuanedd Richards, interim director of nations, are believed to be the other two candidates, according to Deadline reporting. BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine, whose name had previously been linked to the position, is not thought to be among the finalists.

The BBC declined to comment on the recruitment process, which has been under way for nearly three months. Director-General Matt Brittin is expected to make a decision soon.

Several other prominent news executives were linked to the position but ultimately did not pursue it. Sky News Executive Chairman David Rhodes took himself out of consideration, while Channel 4 executive Louisa Compton remained with the broadcaster after being promoted to director of news, digital and audience trust. Bloomberg Senior Executive Editor David Merritt also held discussions about the position before deciding to remain at Bloomberg.

The next director will take over BBC News amid continued cost-cutting and efforts to expand its digital journalism. The division announced £25 million, or about $33.5 million, in savings in June 2026, including the cancellation of Radio 4’s “The World Tonight.” BBC News is expected to seek another £25 million in savings in the coming months.

The appointment also follows a period of editorial controversy at the broadcaster. Turness resigned in November 2025 amid fallout over a “Panorama” documentary that misleadingly edited portions of Donald Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021, speech. Trump subsequently filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC, which the broadcaster is contesting in federal court in Florida.

The BBC also withdrew “Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone” after learning the documentary’s narrator was the son of a Hamas government minister.

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The next director of news will report to Brittin and work closely with Deputy Director-General Rhodri Talfan Davies.