International broadcaster Femi Oke has been revealed as the new
host of Al Jazeera English’s social media show The Stream.
The former BBC, Sky and CNN journalist resumed duty with her first
presentation Monday 6th May
2013 with a focus on Nigeria’s Boko Haram. Femi has been based in the US since
1999 and spent nine years anchoring and reporting for CNN in Atlanta. She was
host for the programme Inside Africa, which she also helped launch. For
the last five years she has been a senior editor and host at the largest NPR
affiliate in the US, WNYC.
The Stream is billed as a social media community with
its own television show. It’s received critical acclaim since its launch in
2011, winning the Royal Television Society’s award for Innovation, a Webby
People’s Choice Award for News and Politics, and a Gracie for Outstanding News
Talkshow. It also received an Emmy nomination last year for New
Approach to News and Documentary Programming.
Femi commented on her new role: “I’ve been
watching The Stream since it first came on air, because it was so
different from anything else on international television. I loved how it
responded to the explosion of social media, used Skype and Google Hangouts not
just as back-ups like a lot of programmes do, but as a genuine way to connect
with viewers. I must admit watching from my laptop in New York I was
amazed and a little jealous. Here was a show that ‘got’ social media, had
a young engaged audience, covered the news, and a broad range of topics in way
that made current affairs fresh and exciting.”
Paul Eedle, Director of Programmes at Al Jazeera English, said: “The
Stream continues to be a great success for us, and is pulling in ever
greater audiences online and on air. Femi’s style is warm and inclusive so
she’s perfect for the interactivity of the show.”
Femi describes herself as British-Nigerian, born in London to
Nigerian parents. In 2007 Femi Oke’s work in Africa was recognized by The
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African
Communications Agency with the presentation of the African Achievers Award
2007. Femi was also named Nigerian media personality of the year in 2007 and
picked up the Interaction media award in 2008 for her commitment to
broadcasting the complex issues of Africa.
For more on The Stream, please visit http://stream.aljazeera.net
Follow Femi Oke on Twitter @FemiOke
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Society