As one of the most recognisable faces in BBC World News, Zeinab Badawi has a lot on her plate.
In addition to her work as a foreign correspondent, and co-host of the popular current affairs interview series HARDtalk, the 56-year-old British TV news presenter is also fronting the new programme Global Questions.
The interactive programmevisits cities around the world – the last two editions were filmed in Ukraine and Jordan – where the audience, in the studio and on social media, poses questions to local leaders and other influential figures. Ahead of this week’s episode in Rwanda, we talked to the journalist about her career, and the importance of presenting a global perspective.
What is the aim of Global Questions?
It’s a new thing that was launched not long ago and is a new departure for us. It is pretty much trying to bring local audiences in touch with their leaders or opinion-formers. We want to give them the opportunity to ask questions they identify as significant to them. Rather than acting as an interviewer and putting forward my questions, I act as the middle-person during the interview. We also use social media for the audience to ask questions and make comments.
With the wide reach of BBC World News, do you have a particular audience in mind when presenting a programme?
That is an interesting question because you are right, we do have a global audience. I work in the English-language section, so that helps narrow the field. But at the same time, the viewer has a good degree of proficiency in the language, so that takes you to a more educated strata of the people from the countries where we broadcast. What I have in my mind is a global citizen, someone who is informed but wants to know more.
You career means you are travelling for much of the year – where do you call home?
I was born in Khartoum but I have lived in London since I was 2 years old, so that has always been my home. Having said that, coming from a Sudanese background is useful. I speak Arabic, so I have a great affinity for the Arab world and Africa because, geographically, Sudan is a part of Africa. I know there is a great deal of people talking about “having multiple identities” – but it is true that I have a kind of hyphenated background.
You also share the hosting duties on Hard Talk. For a programme renowned for its sometimes combative interviews, did you have to adjust your style?
I think you can have your own style. I wouldn’t say that I am confrontational – I would say that I would rather engage in argument and in putting a different view forward with the interviewee. I would never pick up on people’s personal criticisms, personal lives or make nasty comments. I don’t think that is necessary. I stick to the subject matter, so if someone propounds a certain point of view or theory, then I would try to show why there could be a different point of view or way of doing things.
What do you do to unwind?
I love chilling with my kids – I have four children. Then there is also the piano – which I used to play quite well. I stopped for many years and I am trying to take it up again now but I find it so frustrating. I really have to go back to basics and learn it all over again.
• Global Questions is on BBC World News on Saturday, May 28 at 1.10pm and Sunday, May 29 at 12.10am, 6.10am and 7.10pm. For more information, visit www.bbc.co.uk
sasaeed@thenational.ae