Hamzah Abbas

I am a journalist for the BBC's On the Day story team, dealing with breaking news stories as a news desk and field producer. The role involves reacting quickly to fast moving stories on both the home and foreign desks, facilitating the news to the rest of the BBC from the heart of the BBC's news room. I have worked on a vast array of stories, from the Queen's death to strikes across the country, heatwaves and the war in Ukraine. My experience, expertise and leadership qualities have also given me the opportunity to act up as a Senior Journalist. I am an experienced writer, with several bylines for the BBC and at other publications prior to joining BBC News. My written work for the BBC varies, from writing up an investigation that I pitched on the re-sale of driving tests, big news stories such as the Queen pulling out of engagements for the Diamond Jubilee and entertainment features, such as stories about Pokemon. In addition to writing, I also have experience subbing articles from my time with The Tab and editing audio from my time with Radio 4's Today. I also have experience of on-air reporting, appearing on 5Live, Radio 2 and BBC Newsbeat. I have previously completed successful attachments with the BBC News UK Online team and Radio 4's Today as a Broadcast Journalist. I am a graduate of the BBC's Journalism Trainee Scheme, where I worked across Radio 4's Today, Panorama and Newsnight. I earned this opportunity after winning the Today Programme's Student Journalist of the Year award in 2019 for my work with university news site The Tab. I graduated from the University of York (2:1, BA (Hons) English) and am the former Editor of The York Tab. I have also completed work experience on The Sunday Times Home News Desk and earned 2 bylines in the paper over the 2 weeks that I was with them. I also have experience in sports journalism, having written for Last Word on Football as a Liverpool FC writer during the 2019/20 season.