Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
Anushka Asthana Departs ITV News for Channel 4 News US Editor Role
Veteran journalist Anushka Asthana is set to join Channel 4 News as US Editor, marking the end of her tenure as Deputy Political Editor at ITV News. Asthana, who has been a prominent figure at ITV since July 2021 and a co-host on ITV’s political program “Peston,” is embarking on a new chapter in her career in Washington. The announcement follows warm tributes from colleagues, including Charlene White, highlighting Asthana’s significant contribution to political journalism.
Colleagues Celebrate Asthana’s Move
Charlene White, presenter of “Loose Women,” publicly acknowledged Asthana’s departure with affectionate words. Expressing her sentiment on social media, White conveyed her sadness at seeing her esteemed colleague leave ITV. She lauded Asthana as an “amazing human” and celebrated her friend’s accomplishments after the announcement on April 10 triggered numerous messages of support.
White’s message on social media platform X read: “I’m so proud of @AnushkaAsthana. Sad to see her leave us at @itvnews, but excited about her next adventure. She does politics like no-one else. Her scripting is top class. Her delivery on point, impeccable & easy to understand. She’s also just a brilliant, kind, amazing human.”
Emotional Farewell to ITV News Team
Asthana herself expressed gratitude towards her ITV colleagues, admitting to experiencing emotional distress (“crying at the idea of leaving”) as she prepares for her transition. In a heartfelt message, she thanked several editors and the “Peston” team for their support and collaboration during her time at the network.
In her departing statement, Asthana wrote about her “exciting adventure” while acknowledging the difficulty of leaving ITV News. She specifically mentioned former and current editors and praised the “epic” Peston team, expressing fondness for numerous colleagues within the Westminster team and “Peston” program. Asthana indicated her departure from ITV News would occur in late May, with her continued presence on “Peston” until the summer.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Return to Early Mentor at Channel 4
Adding to her announcement, Asthana revealed a connection to Channel 4 News through a former mentor. She credited Esme Wren, who previously hired her at Sky News from The Times, for initiating her career in television journalism. Asthana expressed admiration for Wren’s career trajectory and enthusiasm about joining the “brilliant C4 News team,” where Wren currently holds a senior position.
Public and Industry Reactions
The announcement of Asthana’s move prompted an influx of reactions across social media. Comments included sentiments about ITV’s loss and Channel 4’s gain. One user noted the significance of Asthana’s move, writing: “Big loss to ITV. Big gain for Channel 4.”
Another commentator expressed personal sadness at her departure from ITV, praising her reporting style and questioning how “Peston” would manage without her presence, while offering congratulations on her new role.
Asthana’s Broad Journalistic Background
Prior to her role at ITV News, Asthana’s extensive journalistic experience includes presenting BBC Radio 4’s “Week In Westminster” and holding positions at prominent publications such as The Times, The Observer, and The Washington Post. Her diverse background underscores her deep expertise in political reporting and analysis, which she will now bring to her new role as US Editor at Channel 4 News.