BBC News announces first ever LGBT correspondent
Ben Hunte will begin his reporting duties in early 2019.
By Will Stroude
Words: Will Stroude
BBC News has appointed its first ever LGBT correspondent.
Ben Hunte, who played a key part during the coverage of the BBC’s Gay Britannia season and has presented his own series of LGBT-themed programmes on BBC Radio 4 and 4 Extra called The Ben Hunte Interviews, is set to begin reporting for the channel in early 2019.
The journalist previously fronted the BBC What’s New?, the BBC’s first TV programme and digital service for children in Africa.
In a statement, the BBC said the newly-created role “will report on the stories, issues and debates surrounding sexuality and gender and focus on providing insight and analysis on matters affecting the LGBT community in the UK.”
Ben Hunte said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this important new role for BBC News and I am looking forward to finding and telling stories from the LGBT community.”
Richard Burgess, UK News Editor for BBC News, said: “BBC News has a rich heritage of covering issues and debates from the LGBT community.
“This year we announced our first gender and identity correspondent, Megha Mohan, and I’m thrilled that Ben will be taking up this dedicated role which aims to strengthen our offering of LGBT stories and original journalism across the BBC”.