Deepa Fernandes Joins NPR and WBUR’s Here & Now as Co-host

Award-winning journalist Deepa Fernandes is joining NPR and WBUR’s Here & Now, the live midday news program distributed nationwide, as the show’s third host. On Monday, October 10^th she will make her debut alongside Robin Young and Scott Tong.

Fernandes has extensive experience as a public radio host; over the last two decades her reporting has spanned several continents taking her to more than a half dozen countries. She joins Here & Now from the San Francisco Chronicle where she was an immigration correspondent and senior newsroom advisor on Race and Equity. Prior to that, she was a freelance correspondent for KCET-TV, BBC, PRI, NPR and Marketplace. Fernandes also spent time at Southern California Public Radio, WBAI Radio in New York, the Pacifica Network News in New York City. She’s also worked with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Public Radio International.

“After a rewarding year at the San Francisco Chronicle, I’m looking forward to bringing my diverse background and passion for audio storytelling to the Here & Now team,” said Fernandes. “Public radio is the most easily accessed daily news source for audiences across the country, and I believe we can continue to reach new listeners and enrich the public conversation by including voices, stories and news from communities often excluded.”

Fernandes was born in India, raised in Australia and has lived in New York, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. She’s also spent time in Ecuador, Cuba, Mexico and various countries in Latin America and Asia. Fernandes is focused on making sure there is diversity in reporting and helped lead the San Francisco Chronicle’s Race and Equity initiatives.

“Deepa’s zeal and commitment for not only telling compelling and deeply reported stories – but to support improving access and diversity in journalism – is directly aligned with our mission at WBUR and NPR,” said WBUR Chief Content Officer Victor Hernandez. “Her global-local perspective and experience are going to add tremendous value to our strong team at Here & Now.”

A live production of NPR and WBUR, in collaboration with public radio stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it’s happening in the middle of the day. The show’s daily lineup includes interviews with newsmakers, NPR reporters, editors, innovators and artists from across the U.S. and around the globe. Here & Now began at WBUR in 1997, and expanded to two hours in partnership with NPR in 2013. Today, the show reaches 4.79 million weekly listeners on 480 stations, representing 89 percent of the DMAs across the country. Here & Now airs weekdays 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. ET with live updates until 4 p.m. ET. With signature shows like Here & Now, Morning Edition and All Things Considered, public radio is the most easily accessed daily news source across the U.S.

About WBUR

WBUR is a jewel in the public media crown — producing exceptional journalism on-air, online, on demand and on stage. This trusted and beloved editorial institution has one of the strongest local newsrooms in the country, with a team of journalists covering the most pressing issues of our time — with originality, sophistication and depth. Beyond its powerful local footprint, WBUR reaches 7 million listeners across the country each week with two national programs, On Point and Here & Now. WBUR is also a pioneering podcaster. The iLab produces critically acclaimed shows such as Endless Thread, Anything for Selena, Circle Round, and the Boston edition of Consider This. For more information on WBUR, please visit www.wbur.org

About NPR

NPR, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is widely known for its rigorous reporting and unsurpassed storytelling that connects with millions of Americans every day — on the air, online, and in-person. NPR strives to create a more informed public — one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas, and cultures. With a nationwide network of award-winning journalists and 17 international bureaus, NPR and its Member Stations are never far from where a story is unfolding. Listeners can find NPR by tuning in to their local Member stations (npr.org/stations), and now it’s easy to listen to our stories on smart speaker devices. Ask your smart speaker to, “Play NPR,” and you’ll be tuned into your local Member station’s live stream. Your speaker can also access NPR podcasts, NPR One, NPR News Now, and the Visual Newscast is available for screened speakers. Get more information at npr.org/about and by following NPR Extra on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.