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Owenna Griffiths has been appointed as Editor of C´óÏó´«Ã½'s Newsround, it is announced today.

For 36 years Newsround has set the agenda for news for children – remaining the only daily news programme in this country for six to 12 year olds.

Owenna is currently an Assistant Editor on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4's Today. In this role she has edited two editions of the programme from Basra with John Humphrys and a special programme in Washington DC on the night of the US presidential election in 2008.

Prior to this she worked on ´óÏó´«Ã½ live political programmes, election programmes and, before that, at Sky News.

Joe Godwin, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Children's Head of News, Factual & Entertainment, said: "I'm really pleased Owenna's joining C´óÏó´«Ã½ Newsround, as it's a key time for the programme and our website as we continue to open children's eyes to the world around them.

"It's already well on the way to being a real cross-platform news service for kids, and Owenna's got some very exciting ideas for Newsround and Sportsround."

Owenna Griffiths said: "I'm delighted to be taking up the role Editor of Newsround.

"It's an incredibly important programme and the next few years promise to be the most exciting it has ever had.

"What children watch and where they get their information from is changing all the time. The great thing for Newsround is to seize the opportunity that provides."

Owenna will take up the role in mid-to-late July. She replaces Sinead Rocks who moves to ´óÏó´«Ã½ Current Affairs as an Executive Producer.

Notes to Editors

Newsround has been dedicated to bringing children the news for more than 36 years, making the important issues of the day relevant and easily understandable for kids. Television's only daily current affairs programme specifically made for young people has recently been given a re-launch with a brand new look and two new presenters for a new generation of children.

Newsround continues to make one-off specials, which cover difficult subjects, such as recent reports on knife crime and divorce, in a sensitive and accessible way.

Presented by Ore Oduba and Sonali Shah live from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Television Centre in London, Newsround now has its very own news bureau in Manchester, bringing all the latest news from the nations and regions to uniquely deliver world-class journalism exclusively for children and young people across the UK.

As well as delivering up-to-the-minute news, Newsround's website also encourages children to share their own views and engage in debates by joining chats on the message boards, voting on the issues that matter to them, pitting their wits in a choice of quizzes, and watching the amazing press pack reports made by other Newsround viewers.

PH