Dunja Hayali will be part of the moderation team for the news magazine "heute journal" on ZDF from mid-February. The journalist will conduct the show around 40 times a year, for the first time on February 20, the broadcaster announced on Friday.

The audience will continue to see Marietta Slomka and Christian Sievers the most there, and Anne Gellinek will also greet the audience several times a year.

"The best minds should present and profile our flagship - each with their own character, but all with the highest journalistic experience, competence and independence," ZDF editor-in-chief Bettina Schausten told the "Tagesspiegel". Hayali (48) will continue to moderate the "Morgenmagazin".