5 News appoints new editor
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Editor
| 14 February 2018

In a return to where she started her broadcasting career, and after being deputy for the last four years, ITN and Channel 5 have appointed Cait FitzSimons as editor of 5 News.

The flagship UK news channel of Viacom International Media Networks-owned Channel 5, 5 News claims to play a vital role in the UK's media landscape, offering a different take on the day's stories than the traditional UK broadcasters. 5 News at 5 is currently fronted by Sian Williams, and 5 News Tonight, at 6.30 pm, is hosted by former Sky News presenter Claudia-Liza Armah who joined ITN at the end of 2017.

In 2014, Viacom agreed with UK regulator Ofcom to increase Channel 5's news quota in peak by 20% to 120 hours annually. Channel 5's all hours news quota rose by the same amount, from 240 hours to 260 hours annually. It claims up to 5.2 million viewers every week.

FitzSimons will be responsible for leading the editorial output and direction of 5 News, with a focus on original journalism, and joining from ITN's senior management team, will reporting directly to ITN CEO John Hardie. She has played an integral role in the show's recent relaunch, as well as in campaigns such as 2017's That's Harassment series on everyday sexual harassment, and the Breaking the Taboo special programmes which deconstructed the social stigma around the menopause. Since returning to ITN's headquarters for 5 News in 2017, she has been part of the editorial leadership team responsible for forming coverage plans for all major stories, including two general elections and the EU referendum.

Commenting on her appointment she said: "I began my career at 5 News so I couldn't be more pleased and excited to become editor, leading its brilliant and hard-working team. It's a newsroom that dares to be different, telling distinctive and compelling human stories that connect with our viewers' lives. I want to continue that tradition - and looking ahead there's a real opportunity to reach a key audience that may not feel served by other news programmes."

John Hardie added: "Cait has a deep understanding of both the 5 newsroom itself but also the service's unique remit and audience. I have no doubt that she will be an innovative and excellent editor."