Channel 4’s Dispatches has recruited Daniel Pearl to edit the current affairs show from its BBC rival Panorama.
Pearl, who was deputy editor of Panorama, replaces former editor Kevin Sutcliffe who confirmed his departure from Channel 4 shortly after Dispatches was relaunched earlier this month.
Pearl has more than 15 years of experience producing, editing and commissioning news and current affairs television, including a stints as deputy editor of the BBC’s Ten O’clock News and Newsnight
In 2010 he was appointed editor of the BBC’s Prime Ministerial Election Debate.
In his new role he will report to Channel 4’s head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne, who said: “Daniel has a brilliant mind and a passion for journalism of the greatest ambition. With his fresh ideas and sense of mischief I am in no doubt he will be a fantastic leader of Dispatches.”
Pearl said: ‘Dispatches is one of Britain’s most respected television brands and I can’t wait to join a team responsible for making bold, distinctive and compelling new programmes.”
In November, Channel 4 announced plans to air 40 episodes of Dispatches in 2012 instead of 30, and to reduce the length of the majority of shows from one hour to 30 minutes.
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