Kirsty Wark jokes about Scottish Independence position in 2014
Kirsty Wark has shared her thoughts about the cuts being made to the BBC Two programme Newsnight. The 68-year-old is Newsnight's longest-serving presenter and has fronted the show for three decades.
Speaking to Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, Kirsty shared her thoughts on the recent decisions. The broadcaster announced last month that the show was being cut down to 30 minutes, along with over half of its staff going.
Kirsty confessed: “It was really a tough time for everybody. In this world, it’s all about the brand and Newsnight is a massive brand for BBC Two.
“Especially in an election year, every single night we will interrogate what is going to be a critical election. So, it’s not about killing it, I mean some people wanted to kill it maybe.
“But, lots of people didn't want to kill it and I think whatever happens down the line, it’s going to be in hale and hearty health. We won’t have some of our best editors, but we will still have Nick Watt running up to an election.
The 68-year-old confessed to Emma that if it had been up to her, she wouldn’t have made the same choice as the BBC.
She continued: “I’m going to be bullish about this and I think I wouldn't have done it.
“I loved Newsnight the way it was, but your point about linear [TV] is not lost.
“Everybody has to change and so I think there is a future for Newsnight and I think it will be in a different format.”
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Kirsty will depart from BBC Newsnight as the show’s lead presenter after the next general election.
However, the presenter will still remain a staple at the broadcaster and remain on shows such as The Reunion, Start the Week on Radio 4 and various documentaries.
In a statement from Kirsty when her departure was announced, she called working on the show a privilege and paid tribute to her “wonderful and talented” colleagues.
She commented: “There’s not a day when I don’t look forward to coming to the office, and every day I learn something from the team about all manner of things, from aspects of American foreign policy to how to make a great mojito.
"Last year I spoke to both to the Director General Tim Davie and to Stewart and signalled my desire to end my three-decade run on the show after the next election, and that’s the plan.
Speaking about her decision, BBC Director-General, Tim Davie thanked the presenter for her long-standing position at Newsnight.
He said: “Generations of Newsnight viewers have benefitted from Kirsty’s authority, her razor-sharp insight and her journalistic flair.
“She sets the standard for engaging yet authoritative presenting. I speak on behalf of the whole BBC when I thank her for the past 30 years.
“I’m delighted the BBC is not losing Kirsty altogether when she steps back from Newsnight and look forward to seeing and hearing her beyond the busy political year ahead.”
