by Zeenat Moosa
Freelance Journalist

Channel 4 announced the final three additions to its award winning News programme earlier this week. And two of the three are Asian faces. The trio now completes the onscreen team after a year of big name hiring and promotions for home grown talent.

Asha Tanna has been appointed as Science Reporter, a vacant role after Tom Clarke’s promotion to Science Editor. Having freelanced for the programme as well as Sky News, Asha will cover stories across the science agenda. Starting in regional print journalism and with more than ten years experience in broadcast, she also has a particular interest in biological sciences, and is currently studying a Masters in primate biology, behaviour and conservation. She will join the programme on a full-time basis following the completion of three months of field research in Western Uganda examining the effects of deforestation on wild chimpanzee populations.

The programme has also appointed 26-year-old Fatima Manji as a general reporter. Fatima has been working for BBC East since joining the BBC as a trainee in 2008, on topics ranging from poor housing conditions to an increase in hate crimes against new migrants.

And finally, completing he trio is BBC Correspondent Ciaran Jenkins who will also join as a general reporter.

The appointments complete a wave of changes to the programme that has seen Cathy Newman join the presenting team alongside Jon Snow, Krishnan Guru Murthy and new hire Matt Frei (who is also Washington Correspondent). The programme has also recruited its first ever Weather Presenter – Liam Dutton – and refreshed the look and feel of the studio, branding and programme structure.

Jim Gray, Editor, Channel 4 News comments:

“These are brilliant new additions to the team- the perfect complement to the established stars we welcomed earlier this year. We are fantastically equipped to deliver on our commitment to giving our audience specialist insight, engaging experts and superlative coverage of the issues modern Britain cares about.”

Dorothy Byrne, Head of News and Current Affairs at Channel 4 adds:

“Spotting and supporting new talent is a crucial part of Channel 4′s remit and I’m thrilled we’ve found these journalists at such exciting stages of their careers. This team boasts hungry, informed journalists across the editorial agenda- what a great way to start the year.”