Changes to Sky News primetime line-up are beginning to take shape with the appointment of Yalda Hakim as Lead World News Presenter.
The Afghan-born journalist will front a new primetime programme as part of a multiplatform offering focused on international news.
An award-winning foreign correspondent, Hakim is currently a chief presenter for the BBC News channel, a position she was appointed to just four months ago at the merger of BBC World News with the domestic BBC News Channel.
“I am honoured and excited to be joining Sky News as lead world news presenter. I have long admired Sky for its smart, fearless and world-class reporting,” says Hakim. “At a time when global media must work harder than ever to earn the confidence of our viewers, I look forward to giving my all as part of one of the most talented and accomplished news teams anywhere.”
BBC News has named Maryam Moshiri as the new presenter of The Daily Global, when Hakim leaves later this year.
Hakim led BBC World’s coverage of the collapse of the Afghan government in August 2021. Since then, Hakim has travelled extensively across Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, the country she left as a child refugee for Australia.
Over the past year, Hakim has reported extensively from Ukraine covering the ongoing war. Her recent interview with President Zelensky made global headlines when he acknowledged the counter-offensive has been slower than expected.
David Rhodes, Executive Chairman Sky News Group, said:? “We’re so excited to have Yalda join Sky as our lead world news presenter. Sky News has always featured an award-winning international news report, with Alex Crawford, Stuart Ramsay, Dominic Waghorn, and so many colleagues on the front lines of our coverage every day.?Yalda bolsters this multi-platform presentation—her professional accomplishments and personal journey make her an ideal addition to our newsroom.”
Separately, Sophy Ridge will present a new weekday political show – The Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge. Her previous Sunday morning political talk show will now be presented by Sir Trevor Phillips.
