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BBC News announce changes in television news department
MUMBAI: BBC’s Head of Television News in the UK, Peter Horrocks, has announced a number of changes to BBC News’ television operation.
The changes are the result after series of dialogue between Horrocks and the staff since he took on his new role in September 2005. They are designed to reflect the increasing importance of News 24 in the BBC’s overall strategy and to create a streamlined, flexible and dynamic news operation around all of the news services, including the One O’Clock, Six O’Clock and Ten O’Clock bulletins.
Horrocks said, “BBC television news has been performing very strongly, across all of its services. We have access to the finest news content in the world. We need to be original, fast and right. We need to put continuous news at the heart of our operations and we need to be in good shape to embrace new technologies and new audience needs in terms of watching and accessing news.I am confident that these changes will enable our news teams to continue to deliver the world-class, trusted news that the audience expects of us.”
The changes include key appointments. BBC News deputy head,Rachel Attwell will take on wider editorial responsibilities, deputising for Horrocks across all output. Attwell will line manage senior operational managers and head a new Operations Board.A new post of Controller of News 24 will be created. The Controller will have editorial, managerial and financial control over the channel. This role will report directly to the Head of TV News.
This post will be advertised externally, as will the existing post of Head of World News, currently held on an acting basis by Richard Porter. The Head of BBC Four News will report in to the new Head of World News. A new post of Editor, Daytime News, will replace the individual editorship of the One O’Clock News and the Six O’Clock News.
Additionally, staff will work on a single rota across the One, Six and Ten O’Clock bulletins with some dedicated effort for each programme being retained. Posts saved in the newsroom will be re-allocated to strengthen the editorial process around News 24 and to create a shared pool between television news and newsgathering.
The new systems also include more co-commissioning, greater consistency of branding and a wider sharing of edited material to ensure that stories get to air with the greatest possible speed. In terms of the ongoing value for money proposals, there is no further net increase in staff job losses as a result of the new plans, although one additional senior post will be lost by merging the editorship of the One O’Clock and Six O’Clock bulletins.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
