"My aim is just to do them, and our listeners, proud."
BBC editor Amol Rajan has been named as a new presenter of Radio 4’s Today, the radio station’s flagship current affairs show.
Amol is currently the BBC’s media editor.
He said he was “enormously humbled and thrilled” to be given the position and will join the programme in spring 2021.
Amol’s appointment follows the departure of John Humphrys who stepped down in 2019 after more than 30 years on the show.
Amol will present Today alongside Justin Webb, Mishal Husain, Martha Kearney and Nick Robinson.
Amol, who currently presents Radio 4’s The Media Show, said:
“The Today programme is one of the most powerful institutions in British journalism and the prevailing winds of our time make its job, and influence, yet more vital.
“It has a world-class team, both on and off-air, under strong and effective new leadership.
“My aim is just to do them, and our listeners, proud.
“I’ve no intention of trying to reinvent news and think the best thing is to keep it simple.
“Be fair, get to the truth, and don’t screw up.”
On social media, he stated that he was “enormously humbled and thrilled ” to be a presenter, adding:
“Will try to do everyone proud.”
Enormously humbled and thrilled to join the presenting line-up on @BBCr4today, alongside a team of greats on and off air.
Am also doing some prime-time interviews for the @bbc. Will try to do everyone proud.
Announcement from @bbc shortly
— Amol Rajan (@amolrajan) March 11, 2021
Amol Rajan’s appointment is the latest move in a media career that has spanned both print and broadcast.
In 2013, he was named as the head of The Independent newspaper, becoming the first non-white editor of a UK national newspaper.
He has also worked at the BBC as the media editor since 2016.
In 2020, Owenna Griffiths was appointed the editor of the Radio 4 programme following the departure of Sarah Sands.
Amol will continue as media editor and is also set to present a BBC Two interview series as well as a two-part royal documentary.
The royal documentary will “tell the definitive story of one of the most dramatic periods for a generation”.
BBC Two said it will “chart the years in which the younger royals – the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – have charted very different courses in their relationship with the media”.
In the series, Amol Rajan will carry out “in-depth interviews with high-profile global guests who are shaping the way we live today, from tech barons to business leaders to cultural influencers”.
A new host will be appointed for The Media Show and several guest presenters will be featured in the coming months.
BBC director of news Fran Unsworth said:
“Amol conducts interviews with sharpness and grace, and I’m delighted we’ll be able to showcase that to the widest possible audience across BBC Two and the Today programme.”
After announcing his new position, Amol received messages of congratulations.
Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy said: “Congratulations! Brilliant news.”
Countdown‘s Susie Dent wrote: “Well deserved Amol. Congratulations.”
Lauren Laverne added: “Congratulations and very best of luck!”
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