Ginella Massa is joining CBC News where the network says she’ll helm a new weeknight, prime time program, set to launch early next year.
Massa, who has been an anchor and reporter with CityNews Toronto since 2016, made history when she became the country’s first hijab-wearing TV news reporter at CTV Kitchener in 2015. Her move to CityNews saw her make history again as the first woman in hijab to anchor a major newscast in Canada.
Massa will join CBC in mid-November when the public broadcaster says development will begin on a new program for the 8 p.m. timeslot on CBC News Network. She’ll also contribute to CBC News specials and file feature stories to The National as a “special correspondent.”
“Ginella’s unstoppable energy and journalistic curiosity will bolster our prime time news programming during this critical, rapidly changing time for Canada and the world,” said Michael Gruzuk, Senior Director, Programming and Development, CBC News, in an announcement Wednesday. “As she has done throughout her already groundbreaking career, Ginella will help us better reflect Canadians with stories that matter.”
“It’s a dream come true to be joining Canada’s national public broadcaster,” added Massa. “I’m excited to bring a fresh perspective to CBC, and connect with Canadians across the country every night. I look forward to working with an amazing team, as we dissect and discuss the issues that matter most to our country.”
The network says the new prime time program is part of CBC News’ renewed focus on political and prime time news programming, with the recent launch of new shows Rosemary Barton Live and CBC News Live with Vassy Kapelos. CBC has also moved flagship political show Power & Politics to prime time.
Additionally, it says veteran host Carole MacNeil will helm a new weekday show, still in development, to air at 4 p.m. weekdays.
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