Dorothy Byrne is stepping down as Head of News and Current Affairs at Channel 4 after 17 years and taking up the newly-created role of editor-at-large.
Byrne’s department has been responsible for documentaries including “Leaving Neverland,” the investigation into Michael Jackson, and Oscar-nominated Syrian war film “For Sama.”
In her new role, which she will take on for a year from May 1st, Byrne will work with C4 on a number of projects including developing a factual podcast strategy and helping to shape and implement a new sustainability strategy.
She will also help mentor and develop staff across the organisation and continue to contribute towards programme ideas, but will not take an active commissioning role.
Channel 4’s director of programs Ian Katz has kicked off a recruitment process for a new head of news & current affairs.
Byrne said: “The last year has been one of great success for Channel 4 News and Current Affairs and for me personally so it’s the perfect time for me to step aside and give someone else the pleasure of the best job in television.
“I will continue to contribute to the creative life of the channel. I am also very excited to be working to help develop the careers of staff, particularly of women, at the channel and also to be playing a key role in the creation of a new sustainability policy for Channel 4.”
Katz added: “No British media executive has done as much to shape the coverage of news and current affairs on television as Dorothy. Over more than 15 years she has been the restless force behind agenda setting Channel 4 programming from the exposing of war crimes in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, to the recent laying bare of Michael Jackson’s child sexual abuse.
“She has a laser-like eye for a story, huge creative flair and Channel 4 DNA running through her like rock. I’m so pleased that she will be staying at the channel for another year in her new role as editor-at-large.”
Byrne is one of the longest-serving heads of commissioning in the UK television industry. She was made a Fellow of the Royal Television Society for her “outstanding contribution to television” and received the Outstanding Contribution Award at the RTS Journalism Awards in 2018.
The broadcaster is moving to a permanent HQ at the Majestic building in Leeds this autumn.
