From today, Monday May 6 2013, British-Nigerian International broadcaster, Femi Oke will become the new host of Al Jazeera’s “The Stream”. Femi was a former broadcaster at BBC, Sky and CNN.
Al jazeera made this known yesterday via their twitter page, google+ and other social media. “We are very excited to announce that we have a new host! International broadcaster Femi Oke will take over presenting the award winning show ‘The Stream’ on May 6th,” the message stated.
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 program 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 Awardfor 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.
Commenting on her new job, Kemi said;
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 Programs 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.”
Follow Femi Oke on Twitter @FemiOke.
Watch Femi Al Jazeera’s introduction below:
