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By Jane Meza
In a landmark moment for African media, Bird Story Agency has named veteran journalist Hewete Haileselassie as its new Editor-in-Chief—a decision that signals a bold commitment to authentic, inclusive storytelling and gender equity in journalism.
Haileselassie’s appointment is more than a career achievement; it’s a watershed moment for African narratives. With 15 years at the BBC World Service, she has dedicated her career to amplifying African voices and dismantling barriers for women in media. Her leadership roles in the BBC’s Global Women in News and 50:50 Equality Project underscore her relentless drive to rebalance power in newsrooms.
“It is long overdue that Africa tells its own, new story,” Haileselassie declares—a vision that aligns perfectly with Bird’s mission to disrupt outdated narratives about the continent. Her arrival coincides with the agency’s strategic shift to video-driven storytelling, offering a critical opportunity to center women and marginalized voices in this next chapter.
Beyond reporting, Haileselassie has shaped journalism’s future through initiatives like the BBC’s Future Voices traineeship, where she mentored emerging African talent. As the BBC’s Training and Talent Manager for Africa, she equipped a generation of journalists with the tools to tell stories that reflect their communities’ truths.
Her advocacy extends beyond newsrooms. As a trustee for Action Against Hunger UK and Hamlin Fistula UK, she tackles systemic issues disproportionately affecting African women—from food insecurity to healthcare gaps—proving her commitment to equity is both professional and deeply personal.
“Hewete brings the organizational expertise and developmental vision a young media startup needs,” says Tom Kirkwood, Bird’s Managing Editor. Her dual focus on operational excellence and gender justice positions her uniquely to steer the agency toward its goal: content by Africans, for the world.
This appointment sends a clear message: The future of African media must be feminist, inclusive, and unapologetically authentic. In an industry still dominated by Western frameworks and male-led narratives, Haileselassie’s leadership challenges newsrooms across the continent to audit their hierarchies, dismantle structural biases, and finally make space for the voices that matter most.
