CBC on Tuesday announced award-winning journalist Ioanna Roumeliotis is joining CBC News’ flagship investigative program The Fifth Estate as full-time host alongside current hosts Mark Kelley and Steven D’Souza.
A past guest host of The Fifth Estate and most recently a senior reporter with CBC’s The National, Roumeliotis’s first episode in her new position will air Friday, March 7 at 9 p.m. local time (9:30 p.m. NT) on CBC and CBC Gem, offering a deeper look at the dark world of online extremism, a topic she previously reported on as guest host of the investigative documentary program.
“In her nearly 30 years with CBC News, Ioanna has covered a wide range of breaking news stories and in-depth features, both local and international, with an unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth,” Brodie Fenlon, general manager and editor in chief of CBC News, said in a CBC press release. “At a time when that commitment is needed more than ever, Ioanna is a welcome addition to The Fifth Estate team as our essential investigative series continues with its mission to hold power to account.”
“I am honoured and thrilled to become part of The Fifth Estate team and its towering legacy in investigative journalism. The exercise of speaking truth to power in the public’s interest relies on what I value most — unflinching journalism driven by integrity and rigorous curiosity,” Roumeliotis said in a statement. “I look forward to creating impactful content for The Fifth Estate and the wider CBC network that keeps setting the news agenda and meeting the needs of our evolving audiences. This is a new year and an incredible personal start to it. At some point, I may even stop pinching myself — but not any time soon.”
During her time with CBC News, Roumeliotis has led coverage of multiple breaking news stories, including the Jian Ghomeshi sexual assault investigation, Canada’s #MeToo movement, the Bruce McArthur serial murder investigation and the Toronto van attack in 2018, which garnered her a 2020 Canadian Screen Award. She has also won acclaim for her work reporting on the business model for hiring disabled workers.
Roumeliotis started her career in CBC’s Montreal newsroom in 1995, before moving to Toronto in 2000 to become a reporter with The National, where she covered major news stories including the 9/11 attacks and produced award-winning investigative series on cosmetic surgery and teen mental health. She also did several stints abroad at CBC’s London and Washington bureaus.
Now in its 50th season, The Fifth Estate continues with new episodes on Friday, Jan. 24 on CBC, CBC Gem, YouTube and wherever CBC News can be streamed.
Photo of Ioanna Roumeliotis courtesy of CBC
