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MENURita Payne is President Emeritus of the Commonwealth Journalists Association, a highly respected media consultant and adviser to The Democracy Forum and Asian Affairs magazine. She is also on the editorial board of The Commonwealth Journal on international affairs, an executive board member of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative and Vice-President of Uniting for Peace. She worked for nearly thirty years at the BBC until 2008. Her last position at the BBC was as Asia Editor, BBC World News with responsibility for three news programmes a day. Before moving to TV Rita was a news editor/producer/presenter at BBC World Service radio. She was nominated for the BBC Global Reith Awards 2009 and Asian Woman of Achievement Awards 2006. She was born in Assam, India.
Rita writes for a wide range of publications covering politics, the media, culture, travel and tourism. She moderates and speaks regularly and comments on TV and radio on topical issues. She has moderated key dialogues at Habitat III in Quito, UN World Urban Forums in Rio de Janeiro and Nanjing and chaired sessions at the One World Media Festival and Rotary World Peace Symposium.
She was a member of the Commonwealth Election Observer Missions to the Solomon Islands and Sierra Leone.
For availability, speaking enquiries and fees or to book Rita Payne contact a Specialist Speakers agent on 01455 633289 or email Specialist Speakers