EBU appoints Liz Corbin as new Deputy Media Director and Head of News.
Liz Corbin is currently Head of News for BBC World News, the corporation’s 24-hour commercially-funded international television news channel.
Liz Corbin, a senior editorial leader with more than 18 years’ experience at the BBC across television and digital journalism, has been appointed Deputy Media Director and Head of News for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), effective from January 2020.
Liz began her career as a journalist on the BBC’s domestic rolling news channel and progressed rapidly through the corporation. She has worked in a wide variety of roles, including on the BBC News at Six and Ten – the UK’s most-watched evening news bulletins – and as a senior political producer where she covered British politics at the highest level. Before 2017 Liz spent four years as the BBC’s Singapore Bureau Editor where she created an integrated television and digital newsroom. On returning to London she was the Editor of BBC Reality Check, a cross-platform brand aiming to reduce the impact of disinformation and “fake news”.
Liz will play a pivotal role in the EBU’s Media Department as both Deputy Media Director and Head of News, bringing into play her considerable public service media credentials and experience of the commercial and audience challenges facing broadcasters. Liz has a reputation as an inspiring leader who has pioneered schemes to recruit and retain diverse teams and on-air talent.
She said, “I am delighted to be joining the EBU when impartial, independent and high-quality journalism is facing new challenges and opportunities. With audience habits changing constantly, the question of how public service media organizations respond is seen as an existential one. It calls for maximum creativity, a chance to adapt and build new universal services catering for all audiences. At the same time, disinformation is dramatically skewing public attitudes towards the news, and I look forward to working with the EBU and its Members on reducing its impact. As a journalist, I am passionate in my support for public service news, so joining the EBU which has these values at its heart is the perfect fit.”
Jean Philip De Tender, Director of Media, EBU, added, “This is a significant appointment for the EBU. Liz has great experience dealing with evolving news agendas across a range of portfolios and her understanding of the core values of public service broadcasting is second to none. News is a major part of the EBU’s output, something we prize and value for its impact on democratic societies and its ability to accurately reflect the disparate lives of our many audiences. Liz’s incredible record at the BBC – an EBU Member – gives her unparalleled understanding of the advantages of public service media and the challenges we face in an ever-evolving media landscape. With Liz on board, I have every confidence that we will meet those challenges head-on.”
Jeff Dubin, the EBU’s current Head of News, will leave the EBU after nearly 30 years of service. HIs sterling record at both the EBU and also CBS News in New York and London has brought unparalleled insight, acumen and professionalism to the EBU’s news output.
